A Somali professor of public administration at Syracuse University who has academic interests in the politics of Somalia stated that the Hawadle are indeed a subclan of the Hawiye (10 Nov. 1994). They live primarily in Hiran region but also in small numbers in Mogadishu and around central Somalia (ibid.). The professor stated that although the Hawadle have been allies of General Aideed for some time, this did not prevent Aideed forces from attacking and occupying part of Beled Weyn, the capital of Hiran region (ibid.). This military action might have been the result of the new alliance between the Hawadle and President Mahdi, General Aideed's arch rival (ibid.).

On the issue of "safe areas" or internal flight alternatives (IFA) for the Hawadle, the professor stated that "the Somali situation is difficult to read" regarding what are safe or unsafe places for any particular Somali clan or subclan. According to the professor, the situation in Somalia is so fluid that it is not prudent to use analytical tools that require stable or predictable environments (ibid.). For instance, whether or not a particular location is secure or not is determined by a person's place of birth, education, status and how long he or she has lived (ibid.). A person born in Mongadishu of Hawadle origin might never have lived in a rural Hawadle part of the country (ibid.). Also, being a Hawadle does not guarantee such a person will be able to adjust to life in rural Hawadle (ibid.). A person educated in the formal western tradition cannot be transplanted to a rural Hawadle area and be expected to adjust painlessly to nomadic life simply because of his or her Hawadle origin (ibid.). Under these circumstances, the professor stated that any efforts to determine IFA are extremely difficult and problematic (ibid.). While the place may be safe today, the contrary may be the case after a few months (ibid.).

According to a representative of Somali Immigrant Aid in Toronto, the Hawadle had good relations with other Hawiye subclans until about four months ago, when they decided to take an independent stand concerning participation in the ongoing conflict in Somalia (10 Nov. 1994). As a result of the Hawadle decision, tensions have grown between the two groups (ibid.). Military incursions by General Aideed's forces into Hiran region have made it unlikely that the Hawadle will feel secure in areas where they are in the minority, or in areas controlled by General Aideed's faction.

A representative of the Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke agreed with the information provided by the Somali Immigrant Aid representative that recent conflicts with Aideed's forces have compromised the security of the Hawadle in areas controlled by Aideed's forces (10 Nov. 1994). For general information on current clan activities in Somalia, including clan alliances involving the Hawadle, please refer to the attached report written for the Swedish Life and Peace Institute.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

Professor of public administration with academic interests in Somali politics, University of Syracuse, Syracuse. 10 November 1994. Telephone interview.

Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke, Etobicoke. 10 November 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Somali Immigrant Aid, Toronto. 10 November 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Swedish Life and Peace Institute, Stockholm. September 1994. "Trip Report Somalia." Report on a trip through Kenya and Somalia.