Information on the Tuenis clan [also spelt Tunni] is contradictory. A document entitled Barawan Refugees from Somalia published by the Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the United States Catholic Conference in Washington, DC, states that Barawans comprise the following eight clans: "Dafard, Werile, Daqtira, Hajuwa, Goygal, Hatimi, Bidda and Asharaf" (1997, 2). In an 11 August 1997 telephone interview with the DIRB, a representative of the Toronto-based Benadir Somali Association, who has done extensive research on the cultural history of the Benadir coast, corroborated this information but clarified that the Dafard, Werile, Daqtira, Hafuwa and Goygal are Tunnis-Barawans or urban Tunnis who live in Merka and Barawa and speak the Barawan language (ibid.). However, he emphasized that there is a difference between urban Tunnis who are Barawans and rural Tunnis who are not Barawans. He explained that the difference between urban Tunnis and rural Tunnis is linguistic, with the rural Tunnis speaking the Tunni language, which is not comprehensible to the majority of urban Tunnis (ibid.).

Author Lee Cassannelli in Victims and Vulnerable Groups in Southern Somalia, states that the Tunni are one of the seven subclans of the minority Digil clan (May 1995, 24). Together, the Digil and Mirifle comprise the Rahanweyn (Reewin) clan, which is one of Somalia's minority clans (ibid.).

According to the MRS, the formal Barawan language of Chimbalazi, written with an Arabic script, is spoken mostly by older Barawans. Chimini, which is different from both Somali and other Benadir languages, incorporates some Somali, Swahili, and even Portuguese vocabulary and is the Barawans' common language (1997, 3).

However, the representative of the Benadir Somali Association insisted that while Chimbalazi is the archaic poetic version of Chimini, the two languages are one and the same. He agreed, however, that Chimini is the language commonly spoken by the Barawans (ibid.). For additional information on the Barawans, please consult the attached document.

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.

Benadir Somali Association, Toronto. 11 August 1997. Telephone interview with representative.

Cassanelli, Lee. May 1995. "Victims and Vulnerable Groups in Southern Somalia." Ottawa. Documentation, Information and Research Branch (DIRB), Immigration and Refugee Board.

Migration and Refugee Services, United States Catholic Conference, Washington, DC. 1997. Barawan Refugees from Somalia.

Migration and Refugee Services, United States Catholic Conference, Washington, DC. 1997. Barawan Refugees from Somalia, pp. 1-5.

According to Patrick Gilkes, the author of The Price of Peace: Somalia and the United Nations, the Saad are the most important "clan" of the Habr Gidir, "both historically and because of the political importance of General Aydeed in the last three years [1991-1994]" (1994, 116-117). The Saad, according to Gilkes, are divided into two groups: "the Awarere, which is based in the Mudug region, and the very much smaller Abdullah" (ibid.). The source further states that with the exception of a few individuals, the Saad supported General Aydeed.

According to a 12 May 1997 Africa News report, heavy clashes between militias of faction leaders Hussein Mohamed Aydeed and Osman Hassan Ali Atto on 2, 6, and 7 May left at least 30 people dead and 50 others injured in Mogadishu. The article states that both faction leaders belong to the Saad subclan of the Habr Gidir.

The Saad's support for Aydeed is covered in several responses to Information Requests available at Regional Documentation Centres. For details please consult Responses to Information Requests SOM24649.E of 26 September 1996, SOM23634 of 18 April 1996, SOM23029.E of 7 March 1996, SOM20144.E of 13 April 1995 and SOM10348 of 20 February 1992.

Information specific to the current situation of the Habr Gidir-Saad-Abdalla subclan cound not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB. However, the attached documents indicate that fighting continues between militias loyal to Mohamed Hussein Aydeed and those loyal to Ali Atto. For additional information on this topic, please consult the attached documents.

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.

Africa News [Durham, NC]. 12 May 1997. "Somalia: Fighting Mars Peace Efforts in Somalia." (NEXIS)
Gilkes, Parick S. September 1994. The Price of Peace: Somalia and the United Nations 1991-1994. Bedfordshire, UK: Save the Children's Fund.

Africa News [Durham, NC]. 12 May 1997. "Somalia: Fighting Mars Peace Efforts in Somalia." (DIRB Indexed Media Review [Ottawa], 27 May 1997, Vol. 13, No. 20)

Agence France Press (AFP). 7 May 1997. "Quatre morts et sept blessés dans des combats à Mogadiscio." (DIRB Indexed Media Review [Ottawa], 20 May 1997, Vol. 13, No. 19)

_____. 26 April 1997. "Combats entre factions à Mogadiscio: trois morts et sept blessés." (DIRB Indexed Media Review[Ottawa], 6 May 1997, Vol. 13, No. 17)

_____. 17 March 1997. "Au monis 11 tués dans des combats entre factions rivales en Somalie." (DIRB Indexed Media Review [Ottawa], 25 March 1997, Vol. 13, No. 11)

Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997.

The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996. 37th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1993-1997.

Gilkes, P.S. September 1994. The Price of Peace: Somalia and the United Nations 1991-1994. Bedfordshire, U.K.: Save the Children's Fund.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996, 1997.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly.

The Invention of Somalia. Edited by Ali Jamale Ahmed. 1995. Lawrenceville, NJ: The Red Sea Press.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1996-1997.

Lewis, I. M. 1994. Blood and Bone: The Call of Kinship in Somali Society. Lawrenceville, NJ: The Red Sea Press.

_____. 1988. Rev. ed. A Modern History of Somalia: Nation and State in the Horn of Africa. Boulder, Col.: Westview Press.

New African [London]. Monthly.

On-line search on NEXIS database.

Two oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.