A history professor in the Department of African History at Rutgers University in Newark stated that the town of Borama is under the control of the Gadabursi (20 Jan. 1999). He stated Issas and Isaaqs also inhabit this area but they are a minority.

The professor explained that although Borama is under the government of Somaliland, it has its own local administration, political and economic infrastructure.

According to the professor, the Midgan are a minority in all parts of Somalia. He explained that the Midgan have no protection because they have no militias of their own. They are vulnerable and their lives are precarious."

A representative of the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization (HARDO) based in Somaliland, quoted in a report published by the Danish Immigration Service in Copenhagen, stated that the Midgan population in other parts of Somaliland, specifically Sool and Sanaag is not subject to harassment (July 1998).

The Midgan population were not called Midgan by the local population, but Gaboye. During the civil war the Gaboye population were regarded as being supporters of President Siad Barre. This was because he strengthened the Gaboye population's position in political life. She emphasized that the Gaboye population was not subject to any form of persecution or harassment generally (July 1998).

Information on non-government organizations (NGOs) in Borama could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. For additional information on the situation in Somaliland in 1997 and NGOs in Somalia and Somaliland, please refer to the attached document.

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 see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Danish Immigration Services, Copenhagen. July 1998. Fact-Finding Mission to Somalia and Kenya. [Internet] http://www.udlst.dk[Accessed 14 Jan.1999].

History professor, Department of African History, Rutgers University, Newark.

20 January 1999.

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

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. January-December 1997. Vol. 34. Nos. 1-12.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [ION]. June-December 1997. Nos. 768-792.

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

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

Danish Immigration Services, Copenhagen. July 1998. Fact-Finding Mission to Somalia and Kenya. [Internet] http://www.udlst.dk[Accessed 14 Jan. 1999]