Galcayo is the capital of Mudug region and is located about 600 kms from Mogadishu. It is "is one of Somalia's most ethnically-sensitive areas" where Hussein Aydeed's Habr Gedir militarily oppose the Majertein of Colonel Abdullahi Yussuf (Horn of Africa Bulletin Sept-Oct. 1997, 22). Although the two clans reportedly signed a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting in October 1997, the Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia states that faction fighting was reported in Galcayo in the same month (Jan. 1998). Agence France Presse (AFP) corroborates the information on the fighting in Galcayo and adds that it left about five dead and eleven others injured but the causes of the fighting were unknown (17 Oct. 1997).

Africa Confidential of 17 April 1998 indicates that there were killings in Mogadishu and Galcayo during fighting between militias of the Habr Gedir subclans, the Saad and the Salabaan "over Hobyo's lucrative lobster exports." Recently, Galcayo was the scene of a hijack of a small Caesna plane, which was carrying "the narcotic khat plant." (AFP 28 Apr. 1998; The Horn of Africa Bulletin May-June 1998, 21).

The United Nations Coordination Unit (UNCU) for Somalia reported in April 1998 that the situation in Galcayo "remained quiet" (6 Apr. 1998). The most recent UNCU report carries no mention of Galcayo (ibid., 20 July 1998).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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 sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa Confidential [London]. 17 April 1998. Vol. 39. No. 8. "Somalia: Fighting Over the Peace."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 28 April 1998. "Drug Plane Hijacked in Somalia, Crash Lands on Road." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 October 1997. "Up to Five Killed, 11 Wounded, in Clan Fighting in Somalia." (NEXIS)

The Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. May-June 1998. Vol. 10. No. 3. "Plane Abducted in Galcayo."

_____. September - October 1997. Vol. 9. No. 5. "Peace Agreement Signed in Mudug Region."

United Nations. January 1998. From Relief to Development in Somalia: Situation Report for the Period 1 September - 31 October 1997. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia.

United Nations Coordination Unit for Somalia (UNCU). 20 July 1998. "Humanitarian Update." [Internet] www.reliefweb.int [Accessed 22 July 1998].

_____. "Humanitarian Update: Rats Threaten Harvest in Southern Somalia." 20 July 1998. [Internet] www.reliefweb.int [Accessed 22 July 1998].

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. January - December 1997. Vol. 38. Nos. 1-25.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Cambridge]. January - June 1998. Vol.35. Nos. 1-5.

_____. January - December 1997. Vol. 34. Nos. 1-11.

Danish Immigration Service. Copenhagen. May 1997.Report on the Nordic Fact-Finding Mission to Central and Southern Somalia 15 February - 14 March 1997.

Indexed Media Review [Ottawa]. Weekly. January - May 1998. Vol. 15. Nos. 1-21.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, World News Connection (WNC).

Two oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.