According to Hagi and Hagi, the Abas-Gule are a subclan of the Jidwaq, which is a subclan of the Absame, a subclan of the Kumade-kablalah-Darod ( 1998, 238). Information on whether they constitute a major or minor ethnic group within the Darod clan, their location, size, whether they are found in large numbers within the Kismayo and/Harger region could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

For Information on the Absame, please consult SOM33145.E of 17 November 1999, and for the Darod, please consult the numerous Responses on the subject are available at Regional Documentation Centres.

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

Hagi, Aves Osman and Hagi, Abdiwahid Osman. 1998. Clan, Sub-clan and Regional Representation in the Somali Government Organization 1960-1990: Statistical Data and Findings. Washington, DC.

Africa Confidential [London]. January- October 1999. Weekly. Vol. 40. Nos. 1-21.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. Monthly. January 1998-January 1999. Vols. 34-35.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998. 1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Press.

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

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bi-monthly. January - September 1999.Vols. 11. Nos. 1-4.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. January 1998-November 1999.Nos. 793-881.

Internet sites including:

Africa News

Reliefweb