Information on the current situation in Gedo and of the Marehan clan in that region [SOM10493]

Specific information on the above subject is scarce among the sources currently available to the IRBDC is scarce.

A report by the Inter-NGO Committee for Somalia (INCS-UK), following a visit to southern Somalia between 13 and 24 July 1991, indicates that there have been some reports of fighting between the Ogaden (Darood sub-clan) Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM) and the Marehan on the border between Gedo and the Lower Jubba region (Inter-NGO Committee for Somalia Aug. 1991, 40). In April 1991, the SPM reportedly regained prominence as the umbrella for the various Darood factions in the south including the SPM (Ogaden), the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF, Majerteen) and the Maheran (Inter-NGO Committee Report for Somalia Aug. 1991, 8-9, 40-41; BBC Summary 26 July 1991). This prominence came at expense of the Somali National Front (SNF) consisting of the SPM, the SSDF and the remnants of followers of Siad Barre (Ibid.).

According to a BBC article, the SNF forces under the command of Siad Barre have launched successive attacks on the regions of Bay, Bakool, and Gedo (BBC Summary 26 July 1991). For further information please refer to the attached excerpts of the above-mentioned reports and to the Response to Information Request SOM9045 (17 Jul. 1991). In addition, please refer to previous Responses to Information Requests SOM10347 (20 Feb. 1992) and SOM10348 (20 Feb. 1992) and their attachments available at the Toronto II Documentation Centre.

Additional and/or corroborating information on this subject could not be found among the sources currently available to the IRBDC in Ottawa.

Bibliography


BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 26 July 1991. "Somalia USC and SDM Report Fighting in Central and Southwest Regions." (NEXIS)

Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre (IRBDC), Ottawa. 17 July 1991. Response to Information Request SOM9045.

Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre (IRBDC), Ottawa. 20 February 1992. Response to Information Request SOM10347.

Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre (IRBDC), Ottawa. 20 February 1992. Response to Information Request SOM10348.

Inter-NGO Committee for Somalia [London]. August 1991. Bradbury, Mark. "A Report to the Inter-NGO Committee for Somalia on a Visit to Southern Somalia, Mogadishu and Kismayo 13th-24th July 1991," pp. 7-11, 40-41.

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 11 February 1992. "Kenya, Somalia Join Hands in Maintaining Order Along Border." (NEXIS)

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 26 July 1991. "Somalia USC and SDM Report Fighting in Central and Southwest Regions." (NEXIS)

Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre (IRBDC), Ottawa. 17 July 1991. Response to Information Request SOM9045.

Inter-NGO Committee for Somalia [London]. August 1991. Bradbury, Mark. "A Report to the Inter-NGO Committee for Somalia on a Visit to Southern Somalia, Mogadishu and Kismayo 13th-24th July 1991," pp. 7-11, 40-11.

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 11 February 1992. "Kenya, Somalia Join Hands in Maintaining Order Along Border." (NEXIS)