The Danish Immigration Service Ryesgade 53 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Phone: + 45 35 36 66 00 Website: www.udlst.dk E-mail: [email protected] Report on minority groups in Somalia Joint British, Danish and Dutch fact-finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya 17 – 24 September 2000 Report on minority groups in Somalia Table of contents 1. Background ..................................................................................................................................5 2. Introduction to sources and methodology....................................................................................6 3. Overall political developments and the security situation in Somalia.......................................10 3.1 Arta peace process in Djibouti...............................................................................................10 3.2 Transitional National Assembly (TNA) and new President ..................................................10 3.2.1 Position of North West Somalia (Somaliland)...............................................................12 3.2.2 Position of North East Somalia (Puntland)....................................................................13 3.2.3 Prospects for a central authority in Somalia ..................................................................13 3.3 Security Situation...................................................................................................................14 3.3.1 General...........................................................................................................................14 3.3.2 North West Somalia (Somaliland) and North East Somalia (Puntland) ........................15 3.3.3 Hawiye clans in central Somalia (Galgaduud, Hiran & the Shabelle regions)..............16 3.3.4 Bay and Bakool Regions................................................................................................17 3.3.5 Mogadishu (Benadir Region).........................................................................................17 3.3.6 Gedo region....................................................................................................................18 3.3.7 Kismayo and the far south .............................................................................................18 4. Introduction to the minority groups in Somalia.........................................................................19 4.1 Historical background............................................................................................................19 4.2 Present situation of minority groups in Somalia....................................................................20 4.3 Somali minority refugees in Kenya .......................................................................................23 5. Bajuni.........................................................................................................................................24 5.1 Groups and sub-groups, geographical distribution ................................................................24 5.2 Language................................................................................................................................25 5.3 Socio-economic situation.......................................................................................................25 5.3.1 Relationship with other groups and clans ......................................................................25 5.3.2 Occupations....................................................................................................................26 5.4 Security and human rights situation.......................................................................................27 5.5 Bajuni refugees in Kenya.......................................................................................................27 6. Bantu ..........................................................................................................................................29 2 Report on minority groups in Somalia 6.1 Groups and sub-groups, geographical distribution ................................................................30 6.2 Language................................................................................................................................32 6.3 Socio-economic situation.......................................................................................................33 6.3.1 Relationship with other groups and clans ..........................................................................33 6.3.2 Occupations........................................................................................................................34 6.4 Security and human rights situation.......................................................................................34 6.5 Bantu refugees in Kenya and abroad .....................................................................................36 7. Benadir.......................................................................................................................................38 7.1 Groups and sub-groups, geographical distribution ................................................................38 7.2 Language................................................................................................................................41 7.3 Socio-economic situation.......................................................................................................42 7.3.1 Relationship with other groups and clans ......................................................................42 7.3.2 Occupations....................................................................................................................42 7.4 Security and human rights......................................................................................................43 7.5 Benadir refugees in Kenya and abroad ..................................................................................45 8. Eyle ............................................................................................................................................47 8.1 Groups and sub-groups, geographical distribution ................................................................47 8.2 Language................................................................................................................................47 8.3 Socio-economic situation.......................................................................................................48 8.3.1 Relationship with other groups and clans ......................................................................48 8.3.2 Occupations....................................................................................................................48 8.4 Security and human rights......................................................................................................48 9. Midgan, Tumal, Yibir (sab) .......................................................................................................48 9.1 Groups and sub-groups, geographical distribution, origins ...................................................48 9.2 Language................................................................................................................................50 9.3 Socio-economic situation.......................................................................................................50 9.3.1 Relationship with other groups and clans ......................................................................50 9.3.2 Occupations....................................................................................................................51 9.4 Security and human rights situation.......................................................................................52 3 Report on minority groups in Somalia 10. Shekhal.......................................................................................................................................54 10.1 Sub-groups, geographical distribution, relationship with other clans....................................54 10.2 Occupations............................................................................................................................55 10.3 Security and human rights situation.......................................................................................55 11. Digil and Mirifle (Rahanweyn)..................................................................................................56 11.1 Groups and sub-groups, geographical distribution ................................................................56 11.2 Language................................................................................................................................57 11.3 Socio-economic situation.......................................................................................................57 11.3.1 Relationship with other groups and clans ......................................................................57 11.3.2 Occupations....................................................................................................................59 11.4 Security and human rights......................................................................................................59 12. Individuals and organisations consulted ....................................................................................60 13. Bibliography...............................................................................................................................62