A professor of political science at the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, who specializes in Somalia and Somaliland politics, stated in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, that the United Somali Roots (USR) is an organization that represents the interents of caste groups: Midgan, Tumal and Yibir (7 Apr. 1999). He stated that the United Somali Roots first appeared under another name in Ethiopia's Somali Region, popularly known as Region 5 about five years ago.

The group then emerged in Somaliland in Hargeisa and Burao under the United Somali Roots (USR) during the last election in 1997. He explained that the USR advocates the recognition and rights of the caste groups in Somalia, which are found all over Somalia, "thus the name 'roots.'" (ibid.). He, however, was unaware of the USR representation outside Somalia. He also said that to date, the USR remains an informal organization whose policy is not yet clear (ibid.). According to the professor, the USR has not yet assumed a national character but organizes within the areas where caste groups are found (ibid.). This information could not be corroborated by 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 the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Professor of political science specializing in Somalia and Somaliland politics, College of Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachesetts. 7 April 1999.

Africa Confidential [London]. January 1990-March 1990. Weekly. Vols. 31-40.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. Monthly. February 1990-January 1999. Vols. 27-35.

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

_____. September 1996. Report of Fact-Finding Mission to North East and North West Somalia (Somaliland). 13 April - 8 May 1996.

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

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Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World Network Connection (WNC)