Current information on the conditions for the Majerteen in Somalia is limited among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

Traditionally, the Majerteen have occupied the north-eastern region of Somalia from Bossaso in the north to Galkayo in the south (roughly corresponding to the regions of Mudug, Nugal and Bari) (United Kingdom, Oct. 1995, 36; Lewis, et al. Aug. 1995, map). Majerteen of the Harti clan grouping can also be found in Kismayo (Africa Confidential 16 Feb. 1996, 4; Gilkes Sept. 1994, 84)

According to a report prepared by the United Nations Political Office in Somalia, the north-eastern region "from Galkayo through to Bossaso remains very peaceful" (UNPOS 5 Feb. 1996, 4). The secretary-general in his report on Somalia to the Security Council stated that the north-east was "one of several areas of relative peace" (United Nations Security Council 19 Jan. 1996, 7). A former Somali ambassador and United Nations envoy to Somalia during the UN intervention in the country stated that the north-east "is one of the most peaceful areas of Somalia" (Sahnoun 7 June 1995, 18). These reports were corroborated by Matt Bryden in a presentation to the Immigration and Refugee Board in Toronto on 15 February 1996, during which he reported that there have been "no overt hostilities" in north-eastern Somalia which is "probably Somalia's most secure region" (15 Feb. 1996, 8). For additional information, please consult Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.

According to The Guardian Weekly, Bossaso, the major port city in the north-east has "the kind of daily stability that is envied by much of this deeply troubled East African country" (17 Mar. 1996, 17). The city has attracted "Somalis from other major groups," as well as refugees from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda (ibid.). This upsurge in population has swelled the city's population to 500,000, including the Darod clans who have historically controlled the city (ibid.).

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported in January 1996 that 2,150 persons had registered for repatriation to Galkayo from refugee camps in Kenya (15 Dec. 1995-19 Jan. 1996, 1). However, the UNHCR has informed the DIRB that "the fact of voluntary repatriation to Somalia does not automatically mean that there is an absence of risk or persecution, nor safety upon return" (10 May 1995, 2).

For additional information please consult the attached documents, which provide general information on conditions in the north-east region. The attached article from Africa Confidential reports on the political situation in Somalia, including that of the Majerteen in Kismayo. The reports from the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator summarize the situation reports of non-governmental organizations and UN agencies working in Somalia. For additional information on the situation in Kismayo, please consult Response to Information Request SOM22640.E of 7 March 1996. Please note that any markings in the attachments are on the originals.

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.

Africa Confidential [London]. 16 February 1996. Vol. 37, No. 4. "Somalia: Aydeed Again."

Bryden, Matthew. 15 February 1996. Briefing Paper for IRB Information Session on Somalia. (Compiled in Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia. Toronto. 15 February 1996)

Gilkes, P. September 1994. The Price of Peace: Somalia and the United Nations: 1991-1994. Bedfordshire, UK: Save the Children Fund, UK.

The Guardian Weekly [London]. 17 March 1996. Vol. 154, No. 11. Stephen Buckley. "Somalis Make City Thrive Amid Anarchy."

Lewis, Ioan M. et al. August 1995. A Study of Decentralised Political Structures for Somalia: A Menu of Options. London: London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sahnoun, M. 7 June 1995. Transcript of a Conference on Somalia. (Presentation made to the Immigration and Refugee Board in Ottawa)

United Kingdom. Asylum Division of the Home Office. October 1995. Somalia: Background Brief. (Compiled in Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia. Toronto. 15 February 1996)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 15 December-19 January 1996. Situation Report. Nairobi: UNHCR Branch Office.

_____. 10 May 1995. Letter regarding voluntary repatriation faxed to the DIRB.

United Nations. Security Council. 19 January 1996. (S/1996/42). Report of the Secretary-General on the Situation in Somalia.

United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). 5 February 1996. A Political Update on Somalia for the SACB. Nairobi: UNPOS.

Africa Confidential [London]. 16 February 1996. Vol. 37, No. 4. "Somalia: Aydeed Again," pp. 3-5.

The Guardian Weekly [London]. 17 March 1996. Vol. 154, No. 11. Stephen Buckley. "Somalis Make City Thrive Amid Anarchy," p. 17.

United Nations. 1-15 February 1996. From Relief to Development in Somalia. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, pp. 1, 3, 7-8, 10-11.

_____. 16-31 January 1996. From Relief to Development in Somalia. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, pp. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11- 13.

_____. 19 December 1995-15 January 1996. From Relief to Development in Somalia. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, np.

_____. 1-18 December 1995. From Relief to Development in Somalia. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, pp. 3, 5, 7-8, 10-11.

_____. 16-30 November 1995. From Relief to Development in Somalia. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, pp. 2, 4, 6, 9, 11.

_____. 1-15 November 1995. From Relief to Development in Somalia. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, np.

United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). 5 February 1996. A Political Update on Somalia for the SACB. Nairobi: UNPOS, pp. 1, 4.

World Food Programme (WFP). December 1995. Somalia: Monthly Report. Nairobi: WFP, pp. 1, 4, 7.

_____. November 1995. Somalia: Situation Report. Nairobi: WFP, pp. 1, 5, 9.
e1996/03/00