Current information on the relationship between the Sheikhal (Shekal) and the Hawiye under the leadership of General Aidid [SOM24408.E]

Information on the relationship between the Sheikhal and the Hawiye is limited to information on the Sheikhal militia operations in the Juba River valley. A recent Reuters report states that the Sheikhal militia in the Juba River valley "normally supports" the Somali government named by General Aidid, which since Aidid's death in August 1996 has been led by his son Hussein Farah Aidid (8 Sept. 1996). Reuters reports that the Sheikhal militia has been fighting for control of Jilib with the Galje'el clan, which is not aligned with any of the main warlords (ibid.). Reports from Reuters and Xinhua in June 1996 also described the Sheikhal from the Jilib area as Aidid supporters (ibid. 18 June 1996; ibid. 5 June 1996; Xinhua 18 June 1996). Xinhua also reports that the Sheikhal and Galje'el militias have been fighting each other in the Jilib area since last year (ibid.).

Africa Confidential reported in February 1996 that the Galje'el militia leader, Colonel Abbas, had broken his ties with General Morgan, who controlled (and still controls) Kismayo, the main city in southern Somalia (16 Feb. 1996, 4). However, a June 1996 Reuters report states the Galje'el (spelt Galjecel in the article) are aligned with General Morgan (5 June 1996).

Following General Aidid's death Africa Confidential reported that General Mohamed Ibrahim 'Liliqato' from "the Sheekal/Hirad/Hawiye group" could be a compromise candidate to lead a reunified United Somali Congress (USC) (23 Aug. 1996, 3). The USC is the Hawiye organization divided between various Hawiye subclans representing pro- and anti-Aidid factions led by Ali Mahdi Mohamed and Osman Ali Ato (ibid.).

Additional information on the current relationship between the Sheikhal and the Hawiye could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. For additional information on the current conditions in the Jilib District in the Juba River valley, where some Sheikhal live, please consult Response to Information Request SOM24775.E of 9 September 1996, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres. Please note that the spelling of Somali names is not consistent in the sources cited.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Africa Confidential [London]. 23 August 1996. Vol. 37, No. 17. "Somalia: Aydeed's Legacy."

_____. 17 February 1996. Vol. 37, No. 4. "Somalia: Aydeed Again."

Reuters. 8 September 1996. BC Cycle. "Ten Killed in Fighting Between Rival Somali Factions." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 June 1996. BC Cycle. "Somali Gunmen Kill One in Red Cross Convoy Attack." (NEXIS)

_____. 5 June 1996. BC Cycle. "Three Killed and Nine Wounded in Somali Clan Violence." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua News Agency. 18 June 1996. "ICRC Convoy Ambushed in Southern Somalia." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Reuters. 8 September 1996. BC Cycle. "Ten Killed in Fighting Between Rival Somali Factions." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 June 1996. BC Cycle. "Somali Gunmen Kill One in Red Cross Convoy Attack." (NEXIS)

_____. 5 June 1996. BC Cycle. "Three Killed and Nine Wounded in Somali Clan Violence." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua News Agency. 18 June 1996. "ICRC Convoy Ambushed in Southern Somalia." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Research Bulletin. 1996.

Current History. 1996.

DIRB Indexed Media Review (IMR). 1996.

DIRB Somalia Country File. 1996.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1996.

Horn of Africa Bulletin. 1996.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter. 1996.

Information Session on Somalia. February 1996.

Supplement to Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia. February 1996.

United Nations Situation Reports. June-August 1996.

USAID Situation Reports. 1996.