Please see the attachment for a genealogy of the Shiqhal, as a sub-clan of Hawiye clan and its major settlement regions in Somalia (Galgadub, Lower Jubba, Central Jubba, Banadir).

During a 14 April 1999 telephone interview, a professor of Political Sciences at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, who specializes in Somalia and Somaliland's politics stated that, while a large segment of Shiqhal community lives in the coastal area around Benadir, other Shiqhal members are widely dispersed in different regions of all the country; as in the past, their major job is to teach religious across the country.

According to a 14 April 1999 PANA article, "five people are said to have died Sunday, when gunmen of the Shikal sub-clan of the large Hawiye group fought among themselves in Mogadishu's crowded Balaka market." Xinhua stated on 2 February 1999, that "another peace deal was also signed in Mogadishu Monday between Sheikal and Biyomal clansmen fighting in town of Jamama of lower Jubba region in south Somalia." According to the same article, delegates from the two clans signed "a seven-point agreement", which include "the opening of the roads to Mogadishu and Kisumayo, the separation of their militiamen and face- to-face negotiations to be opened for settling their differences." Militiamen from the Sheikhal clan were also involved in fighting, which took place in the Middle Jubba in June 1997, against Suleman clan members during which five people were reported to have been killed (AP 18 June 1997).

Current information on alliances Shiqhal clan has entered into and whether their members are facing any risks could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, two articles published in 1995 and 1996 indicate that the Sheikal clan was allied to General Mohammed Aided (DPA 18 June 1996; AFP 29 Nov. 1995).

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). 29 November 1999. Nine Killed in New Clan Fighting." (NEXIS)

AP Worldstream. 18 June 1997. "10 Killed, 6 Wounded in Banditry, Clan Fighting in Somalia." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Press-Agentur (DPA). 18 June 1996. BC Cycle. "Two Killed When Red Cross Convoy Attacked in Somalia." (NEXIS)

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

Panafrican News Agency (PANA). 13 April 1999. "Somalia, 12 Killed in Somali Military Violence." (African News/NEXIS).

Political Sciences Professor specializing in Somalia and Somaliland politics, College of Holy Cross, Massachusetts. 14 April. 1998. Telephone interview.

Xinhua News Agency. 3 February 1999. "Peace Deals Signed Between Clans in Somali Capital." (NEXIS)

Hagi, Aves O and Hagi, Abdiwahid O. 1998. Clan, Sub-Clan and Regional Representation in the Somali Government Organization 1960-1990: Statistical data and Findings, pp. 229, 260, 261.

Africa Confidential [London]. 1998- March 1999.

Africa Research Bulletin [Oxford]. 1998.

L'Autre Afrique [Paris]. June 1998- March 1999.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1998. 1999.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. 1998.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1998-March 1999.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 1998-April 1999.

Resources Centre country file. Somali. 1998 to present.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).