Gedo region is the main base of the late President Siad Barre's Marehan clan, a subclan of the Darod. The situation in the region is "complicated" (Danish Immigration Service May 1997, 65) by fighting between Darod factions, and lately, insecurity and starvation (AFP 3 Feb. 1999; AFP 23 July 1998; AC Apr.1998; AP 4 May 1998; AFP 8 Nov. 1998; ibid., 30 Sept. 1998; DPA 1 May 1998). The Danish Immigration Service also states that besides Gedo, "there is a sizeable Marehan population in the Abud Wak area of the Galgaduud region in central Somalia."

A 30 September 1998 AFP report states that the Lower Juba region, including Gedo region has been tense since the overthrow of the late President Mohamed Siad Barre in January 1991. Three groups have been fighting in the area: between Marehan-dominated Somali National Front (SNF) and the Islamist group, the Al Itihad; and lately between the SNF and the Marjeteen-dominated Somali Patriotic Movement led by General Morgan (SPM) (AFP 23 July 1998).

The Marehan and the Marjeteen are both sub-clans of the late President Siad Barre's Darod clan (AP 4 May 1998; DPA 1 May 1998). Morgan is also the son-in-law of the late Siad Barre (AP 4 May 1998). Both the SPM and the SNF accuse and counter accuse each other of causing tension in the region (AFP 30 Sept. 1998).

In 1996 and 1997, Gedo region experienced conflict between the Marehan-dominated Somali National Front (SNF) and an Islamist group, the Al Itihad. The Al Itihad, which includes some Marehan in its membership, was reportedly fighting for the autonomy of the ethnic-Somali region of Ogaden in Ethiopia, and for the formation of an Islamic government in Somalia (AFP 23 July 1998). In August 1996 and April 1997, the Ethiopian authorities allegedly forcibly crossed the border and attacked Al Itihad bases in Gedo in retaliation for the Al Itihad's alleged bomb attacks inside Ethiopia (AFP 20 Apr. 1998). The Ethiopian forces reportedly pulled out Gedo after the Somali faction leaders had signed an agreement in Cairo in 1997, which Ethiopia did not recognize (Xinhua News Agency 17 June 1998).

In April 1998, "fresh" fighting broke out in Kismayo between a faction of the "now" divided SNF and the Majerteen militia of General Mohamed Hirsi of the SPM (AC 17 Apr. 1998), for the port of Kismayo, which to serve as the main gateway for exports from Gedo region before the civil war broke out in 1990-1991 (Danish Immigration Service, May 1997, 65).

The fighting reportedly began in March 1998 "when an estimated 200 heavily armed fighters of the Marehan subclan stormed the town and overran defensive position of the outnumbered Majetern subclan" (AP 30 Mar. 1998). The SNF, allegedly, backed by forces of warlord Hussein Aidid, sent 300 more fighters from Garbaharey in the eastern Gedo region to boost its advance on the town (Apr. 8 Nov. 1998).

In addition to the fighting, the southern region of Somalia is reportedly threatened with starvation. The Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB) reportedly recommended the "immediate" suspension of the agencies activities in Gedo region and the neighbouring Sakow region following the murder of a Kenyan working for an Italian agency, Terra Nuova, on 26 January 1999 (Apr. 3 Feb. 1999).

No reports on whether it is safe for the Marehan to return to those areas including Gedo could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

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

Africa Confidential [London]. "Somalia: Fighting Over Peace: Faction Leaders are Getting More Weapons but Seem to be Losing Authority."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 3 February 1999. "Starvation Adding to Fighting Toll in Southern Somalia." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 November 1998. "Fresh Fighting Flares in Somalian Port." (NEXIS).

_____. 30 September 1998. "Southern Somali Warlord Vows to Destroy Close Enemy Fire Power." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 July 1998. "Ceasfire Announced in Gedo Region." (NEXIS)

_____. 20 April 1998. "Ethiopia Aiding Somali Militia as Battle Looms." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). "30 Killed in Southern Somalia's Largest Town Battle." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 May 1998. "A Warring Factions Warns Relief Agencies of Danger in Southern Somalia." (NEXIS)

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

Deutsch Presse-Agentur (DPA). 1 May 1998. "Fresh Fighting Reported in South Somalia." (NEXIS)

Xinhua News Agency. 17 June 1998. "Ceasefire Pact Reached by Somali Factions in Gedo Region." (NEXIS)

Electronic sources: IRB Databases: Internet [http://www.reliefweb.int], LEXIS/NEXIS, World News Connection (WNC).

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