In a 26 January 1998 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an associate professor of African and Middle Eastern history specializing in Somali history and politics at Savannah State college in Savannah, Georgia, stated that Ahmed Suleman Abdulle (Dafleh), the Dulbahante former head of the National Security Service, has been living in Eritrea since the fall of the late Siad Barre.

This information was corroborated by a professor of African history who specializes in Somali politics, at Rutgers University in another telephone interview with the Research Directorate (27 January 1998). The professor explained that Ahmed Suleman Abdulle lives in Eritrea in the port town of Assab near the Afar coast. He further explained that the Eritrean government gave Abdulle asylum because the government of Siad Barre was "very helpful" to the Eritreans during their 30-year struggle against the Ethiopian governments. He added, however, that the government does not allow him to settle in the capital Asmara because this may jeopardize the "lukewarm" relationship existing between Eritrea and Somalia (ibid.).

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.

Associate professor of African and Middle Easterm history, Savannah State College, Georgia. 26 January 1998. Telephone interview.

Professor of African history, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. 27 January 1998. Telephone interview.