Sanaag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sanaag (Somali: Sanaag; Arabic: سناغ‎ SanÄgh) is a region (gobolka) in northern Somalia. Sanaag is claimed by the two self-proclaimed but internationally-unrecognized states of Somaliland and Puntland. It was the largest region of formerly British Somaliland protectorate. Its capital city is Ceerigaabo (Erigavo).
Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the North and is bordered by the Somalian regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Bari.
The eastern part of the region is inhabited by the Darod subclans, Warsangeli and Dhulbahante and the western part by the Isaaq subclans, Habar Jeclo and Habar Yoonis, as well as some minority groups.
The most important towns are Ceerigaabo, Badhan, Laasqoray, Dhahar, Ceel Afweyn, Hadaaftimo, Xingalool, Buraan, Damala Xagare, Maydh, Xiis, Gar Adag, Awrboogays, Jiidali, and Fiqi Fuliye.
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[edit] Environment
A severe drought in the region in the early part of the 21st Century caused an 80% or greater loss of livestock, though two good rainy seasons in 2004–2005 helped restore the area. Over a 15-year period of analysis, from 1988–2003, there was a 52% loss of forest and a 40% loss of grassland, and a 370% increase in bare land. Soil erosion due to weather and human activities and clearing of wood and brush for such uses as charcoal and fuel are issues leading to a degredation of the environment.[1]
[edit] Territorial dispute
Sanaag is a disputed region, claimed as sovereign territory by the two self-proclaimed but internationally-unrecognized states of Somaliland and Puntland, as well as defined as part of the Somali Republic according to the 2004 Transitional Federal Charter of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
The dispute between Somaliland and Puntland stems from 1998, when Puntland formed and declared the region as part of its territory.[2] Prior to that, it had been claimed by Somaliland since the 1991 events of the Somali Civil War.
Beginning in 2003, the forces of Puntland entered and occupied the region based on irredentist desires, due to the large Darod clan population in the area. Somaliland claimed the territory as part of the original bounds of British Somaliland. Fighting between the two forces led to casualties and captured prisoners, who were later exchanged. As a related contention, in 2005 Puntland tried to sell off mineral rights to foreign investors, including the disputed territories of Sool and Sanaag.[3][4]
The dispute with the TFG stems from the passage of the new Charter in November 2004. However, this was not a pragmatic issue until the military successes of the government in the 2006–2007 war in Somalia. Assertions of sovereignty in January 2007 by the TFG leadership sparked riots in Somaliland, both for and against a reunification with the south.[5][6]
[edit] Districts of Sanaag Region
On many modern maps, the region is shown divided into 3 districts[7]:
- Ceerigaabo (Erigavo), regional capital.
- Badhan, district capital
- Ceel-Afwayn (El Afweyne), district capital
However, FSAU, the United Nations and other organizations note such boundaries predate the Somali Civil War: "Note that the boundaries and names on these maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. The regional and district boundaries reflect those endorsed by the Government of the Republic of Somalia in 1986."[8]
According to the Republic of Somaliland, as of July 2002, Sanaag was formally divided into 10 districts, rated "A" through "D" in terms; districts graded "D" were limited, because "their district councils shall not be elected at first local government elections as their borders have not yet been delineated."[9] Thusly, under the 2005 elections for the lower house of Parliament, Sanaag was described as only having six districts.[10] Here is the list of districts of Sanaag and their "Grade":
- Erigabo (A)
- El-Afweyn (B)
- Badan (A)
- Lasqoray (C)
- Dhahar (B)
- Gar-adag (C)
- Maydh (D)
- Dararweyne (D)
- Fiqi Fuliye (D)
- Hees (D)
In conflict to the FSAU maps, a different division of the region cited as used by the 1991 (and prior) structure of the government of Somalia, referred to at the Somalia National Peace Conference of 2000 held in Djibouti, and also referred to by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, the region consists of five Districts (and includes these as predominant clans)[11]:
- Badhan (Warsengeli)
- Ceel-Afwayn (Isaaq)
- Ceerigaabo ( Isaaq, Warsengeli and Dhulbahante)
- Dhahar (Warsengeli)
- Laasqorey (Warsengeli)
According to the republic of Puntland, Sanaag region consists of seven districts with Badhan being the Capital of the region. The Transitional Federal government also recognizes Puntland as an official state so as as its regions and districts. The Districts of Sanaag are:
- Sanaag
- Hadaaftimo
- Hingalol
- Dhahar
- Buraan
- Ceelaayo
- Badhan
- Las Khorey
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Ethiopian Internet Newsletter, The Eritrea-Ethiopia Conflict Webpage, Issue No. 10
- Gwillim Law, "Districts of Somalia", Statoids, December 31, 1990
- Laasqorey port
- Togdheer News Network (in Somaliland).
- Makhir.com
- LaasQoray.net
- RadioSanaag.com
- Dhahar.com
- AllSanaag.com
- Kismaayo
- The Birth of the Somaliland Protectorate's own Postage Stamps (PDF file).
- puntlandgovt
- somalilandgov
[edit] References
- ^ Environmental Study of Degredation in the Sool Plateau and Gebi Valley: Sanaag Region of Northern Somalia. Horn Relief (February 2006). Retrieved on 2007-02-06.
- ^ Remarks on the 1998 Charter of Puntland State of Somalia. Somalia Watch (2000-08-12).
- ^ "Somalia's Puntland Sold Exploration Rights In ‎Somaliland", Somaliland Times, 2006-02-01.
- ^ "Somaliland, Puntland Exchange Detainees", Somaliland Times, 2005-12-07. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
- ^ "Anti Somalia government protest rages in Somaliland", SomaliNet, 2007-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-01-16.
- ^ "Pro-government rally take place in northwest Somalia", Shabelle Media Network, 2007-01-17. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
- ^ Comparison of IPC Somalia Food Security Situation Analysis for the GU 06 and Deyr 06/07. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ FSAU Products: Maps. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ Republic of Somaliland: Regions and Districts Law (Law No: 23/2002). Translation of Republic of Somaliland government document (2002-07-29). Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
- ^ Somaliland: Elections for the Lower House of Parliament September 2005. Norwegian Centre for Human Rights/NORDEM (September 2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
- ^ Somalia National Peace Conference, Djibouti, 20 April - 5 May 2000. Transitional National Government (2000-05-05). Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
- ^ Map of Puntland State. Puntlandgov (oct 2006). Retrieved on 03-16-07.
Regions of Somalia | ![]() |
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Awdal | Bakool | Banaadir | Bari | Bay | Galguduud | Gedo | Hiiraan | Jubbada Dhexe | Jubbada Hoose | Mudug | Nugaal | Sanaag | Shabeellaha Dhexe | Shabeellaha Hoose | Sool | Togdheer | Woqooyi Galbeed |
|
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|
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Regions | ||
Awdal | Saaxil | Togdheer | Woqooyi Galbeed | ||
Disputed regions | ||
Sanaag | Sool |