The Hawadle, described as the main sub-clan of the Hawiye, the largest and most powerful of Somalia's six main clans (AP 1 July 2001), are the dominant community in Hiran, and reportedly often clash with other sub-clans in the area over grazing and water rights (ibid.).

On 7 August 2000, fighting broke out between the Hawadle and Jajeleh (Jajeele, Jejele) sub-clans in Belet Weyne (Belet Huen, Beledweyne) (UN-ECOSOC 13 Mar. 2001) in which the Galje'el (Galjel, Gaaljaal), "traditional allies of the Jajeleh," were also reportedly involved (AP 9 Aug. 2000). The Associated Press reported on 9 August 2000 that Belet Huen "is a divided city, with the Hawadle controlling the east and the Jajeleh and Galje'el controlling the western part of the town."

The Somali newspaper Qaran' reported on 21 September 2000 that the Hawadle signed a peace agreement with the Galje'el, also a sub-clan of the Hawiye (AFP 5 Sept. 2000; AP 28 Aug. 2000), on 20 September 2000 to end fighting in Jowhar and Beledweyne (Qaran' 21 Sept. 2000), as well as in the villages of Daif, Burane and Ega Abdulle in the Middle Shabelle region (AFP 5 Sept. 2000). The fighting, which began on 27 August 2000, was "apparently sparked by incidents of banditry involving members of the two sides" (ibid.). Among other points, the agreement called for a return of expropriated property and the demarcation of clan territories (Qaran' 21 Sept. 2000).

According to a November 2000 report by Ken Menkhaus, associate professor with the Department of Political Science of Davidson College, the Somali National Alliance (SNA), led by Hussein Aideed, "appears to be inciting the Gaaljaal clan to attack the Hawadle, leaving the entire riverine valley from Beled Weyn to Jowhar in a state of insecurity even more chronic than usual" (UNHCR, 2.1).

A December 2000 report on minority groups in Somalia published by the Danish Immigration Service as a result of their 17-24 September 2000 fact-finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya offered the following observations on the situation of the Hawiye clan in general (section 3.3.3).

David Stephen [Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)] informed the delegation that, while pleased that the President selected by the TNA [Transitional National Assembly] is a Hawiye, the Hawiye clans nevertheless remain at odds with each other. Wayne Long [Chief Security Officer, UN Development Programme for Somalia (UNDP-Somalia)] advised that there are on-going disputes within the Hawiye down to "sub-sub-sub-clan" level. There have been major clashes in the territory between Jowhar and Belet Weyne between the Hawadle and Gaaljaal clans. In Mogadishu most Abgal sub-clans are fighting each other, the Habr Gedir sub-clan Sa'ad is split in two and the Murosade occasionally clash with the Habr Gedir sub-clan Suleiman and the Habr Gedir sub-clan Ayr. The Galgaduud region is, however, calm.

Generally, rival Hawiye groups are seeking to bolster their positions ahead of any lasting settlement that may follow from the Arta peace process, although at present most of the Hawiye armed factions, other than Ali Mahdi's Abgal-based USC/SSA, have been resolutely opposed to Arta and Abdiqassim.

...

Wayne Long informed the delegation that clashes in Hiran region have occurred between the Hawiye clans Hawadle and Gaaljaal in the Belet Weyne area. There is no immediate prospect of reconciliation between the Hawiye clans in Hiran. Bernard Harborne [Chief, UN Co-ordination Unit for Somalia (UNCU)] did, however, inform the delegation that the UN hoped to be able to re-establish its presence in Belet Weyne soon. Most recently the UN has reported that a peace agreement between the conflicting parties has been concluded and that the agreement seems to hold. According to the UN Somalia Monitor, October 2000, Belet Weyne and the immediate area remain quiet and peaceful. The Governor and elders have committed themselves to support the TNG [Transitional National Government]. They have the support of what appears to be most Somali residents of the Hiran region. The peace agreement between the Hawadle and the Gaaljaal continues to hold.

Country Reports 2001 stated that "serious interclan fighting continued to occur in parts of the country, notably in the central regions of Hiran and Middle Shabelle" (4 Mar. 2002). However, in a June 2001 presentation at the 7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar held in Berlin, an officer with the United Nations Development Project for Somalia stated the following (UNHCR/ACCORD):

The Hawadle are the pre-dominant clan on the east bank. They have a functioning traditional system headed by a traditional leader called Ugas. The Ugas Khalif who passed away about a year ago had an enormous political power and usually handled most conflicts with neighbouring clans rather successfully. Although it took over a year to agree on one of his sons as successor, the fact that the region remained peaceful shows the functioning of the traditional conflict resolution mechanism.

As in Gedo, there is significant tension between the groups supporting the TNG and the Ethiopian backed factions leaders.

On 13 March 2002, a member of the Hawadle clan was reportedly killed by a member of the Daud sub-clan in Mogadishu in revenge for the killing of a Daud militiaman who had allegedly raped a Hawadle girl (IRIN 14 Mar. 2002).

The Hawadle are reportedly allied with the Abgal (IND Apr. 2002, section 4.30), a Hawiye sub-clan (ibid. Annex B) led by Ali Mahdi (ibid. section 4.30). The United Somali Congress/Peace Movement (USC/PM), which is "based on" the Hawadle clan and allied with Ali Mahdi and Musa Sude, controls "most of [the] Hiran region and a very small area around Benadir Hospital in Mogadishu" (ibid. Annex C). The USC/PM is a member of the Somali Salvation Alliance (SSA), a "grouping of anti-Aideed factions" led by Ali Mahdi (ibid.).

The Danish Immigration Service report stated the following regarding repatriation to Somalia:

Kalunga Lutato, Head of Somali Operations, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Branch Office for Kenya, considered Hiran region to be part of the Central and Southern Somalia "problem area" because of the clashes that have occurred there between rival Hawiye clans; Hiran region contains pockets of insecurity. He said that UNHCR does not consider Hiran region sufficiently secure for "promoted returns", which take place only to the areas north of Galkayo, i.e. to Somaliland and Puntland. South of Galkayo UNHCR only supports "facilitated returns" on an individual basis, under which those who express the wish to return are given basic assistance and are fully informed of the security situation and the risks inherent in return (Dec. 2000, section 3.3.3).

For information on the situation of internally displaced persons in Somalia please consult the Global IDP Project report on the Website of the Norwegian Refugee Council located at http://www.db.idpproject.org/Sites/idpSurvey.nsf/wCountries/Somalia/$File/

Somalia%20-October%202001.pdf?OpenElement> (10 Oct. 2001).

Additional information on the Hawadle clan can be found in SOM27695.E of 28 August 1997, SOM24722.E of 2 October 1996 and SOM23429.E of 24 April 1996.

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

Agence France Presse (AFP). 5 September 2000. "Inter-Clan Fighting Leaves At Least 38 Dead in South Somalia." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 1 July 2001. Osman Hassan. No Title. (NEXIS)

_____. 28 August 2000. Osman Hassan. 18 Killed, Similar Number Injured in Clan-Based Fighting." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 August 2000. "Seven Killed, 15 Wounded in Somali Fighting." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 4 March 2002. US Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/af/8403.htm [Accessed 24 May 2002]

Danish Immigration Service. December 2000. Report on Minority Groups in Somalia. http://www.udlst.dk/udlst_engelsk/sjle1/somaliaeng00/kap3.html [Accessed 23 May 2002]

Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), UK. April 2002. Somalia Assessment. http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?PageId=193 [Accessed 24 May 2002]

Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). 14 March 2002. "Killing of Faction Leader's Deputy 'Nothing to Do With Politics'." (BBC Monitoring 14 Mar. 2002/NEXIS)

Norwegian Refugee Council. 10 October 2001. Global IDP Project. Profile of Internal Displacement: Somalia. http://www.db.idpproject.org/Sites/idpSurvey.nsf/wCountries/Somalia/$File/Somalia%20-October%202001.pdf?OpenElement [Accessed 27 May 2002]

Qaran' [Mogadishu, in Somali]. 21 September 2000. "Somalia: Two Warring Clans Sign Peace Agreement." (BBC Monitoring 21 Sept. 2000/NEXIS)

United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). 13 March 2001. (E/CN.4/2001/105) "The Situation of Human Rights in Somalia." http://www.ecoi.net/pub/dh47.pdf [Accessed 23 May 2002]

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). November 2000. Ken Menkhaus. Somalia: A Situation Analysis. http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2001/som_unhcr_analysis_30nov00.pdf [Accessed 24 May 2002]

UNHCR/ACCORD European Country of Origin Information (ECOI). 11-12 June 2001. 7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar, Berlin. Somalia: Country Report. http://www.ecoi.net/pub/mv17/cois2001-som.pdf [Accessed 23 May 2002]

Africa Confidential 1998-2002.

Africa South of the Sahara 2000.

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Political Handbook of the World 1999.

WNC

Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Somali Resource and Heritage Centre, Ottawa and Somali Immigrant Aid, Toronto.

Internet sites including:

BBC

Minorities at Risk

Somalia Watch