According to a professor of public administration specializing on Somalia at Syracuse University, the Murusade (correct spelling in Somali) have always been close to the Abgal sub-clan of the Hawiye and are currently allied with the Abgal would-be president Ali Mahdi Mohamed (2 Mar. 1994). Their traditional area comprises the Middle Shabella region and parts of Benadir and is centered on the town of Galgudud (ibid.). In Mogadishu, they used to reside in areas where they were involved in the construction quarry industry as well as various small businesses (ibid.). In 1991 and 1992, they tried to remain relatively neutral in the conflict opposing the Habr Gedir and the Abgal, but when large-scale hostility between the two broke out, they had to retreat to the Northern part of Mogadishu along with Ali Mahdi Mohamed's forces (ibid.). They were initially supportive of the United Nations intervention in Mogadishu but reduced their support when UNOSOM 2 became more involved in military actions (ibid.).

The Murusade are led by a "less notorious warlord" called Mohamed Sheik Osman, who owns many properties occupied by the United Nations and the United States de facto embassy in Mogadishu (The Washington Post 22 Jan. 1993). However, most of Murusade property and traditional land was taken over by the Habr Gedir after the fall of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre (ibid.). The Murusade leader claimed, in an interview in early January 1993, that "there is no peace until Murusade and Habr Gedir reach an agreement. . . . The dispute between the Murusade and the Habr Gedir is a territorial dispute" (ibid.).

In April 1992, Ali Mahdi Mohamed was said to be popular among both the Abgal and the Murusade (spelt Murasade in reference) (Africa Confidential 17 Apr. 1992). However, the Murusade were excluded from a March 1992 ceasefire, which led to much discontent within that clan (ibid.). As a measure of retaliation against the United Nations, who had negotiated the ceasefire, the Murusade militia forced the first UN ship that tried to land in Mogadishu back to Mombassa (ibid.).

The Murusade (spelt Murassade in reference) and Abgal militias were still holding an enclave in south Mogadishu in August 1992 and thus were able to bomb the port and the airport, then controlled by the Hawadle, from a hill location (Le Monde Diplomatique Aug. 1992). An article dated 6 December 1992, however, indicates that the Murusade (spelt Murosade in reference) had taken control of the port and airport before finding "common ground" with Habr Gedir general Mohamed Farah Aideed (AFP 6 Dec. 1992).

Shortly after the beginning of "Operation Restore Hope," heavy fighting broke out again in Mogadishu in early January 1993 (AFP 7 Jan. 1993; Le Devoir 7 Jan. 1993; The Washington Post 2 Jan. 1993). On New Year's eve of 1992, the Murusade launched an attack against Habr Gedir positions during President Bush's visit to Somalia (The Washington Post 22 Jan. 1993). Two weeks later, the Murusade militia was again involved in clashes with the Wardigle and the Habr Gedir, which left more than 100 people wounded (ibid.). The Murusade's goal was to recover their traditional territory in the city which had been taken from them by the Habr Gedir of General Mohamed Farah Aideed following the fall of Mohamed Siad Barre (ibid. 2 Jan. 1993). The US was still unclear after the fighting broke out about whether it would move against the Murusade, who had been clashing with the Habr Gedir for months (ibid. 3 Jan. 1993). The Habr Gedir accused the Murusade (spelt Murosuthi in reference) militia of having opened fire at US soldiers a few days later, thus provoking an attack by the marines (AFP 8 Jan. 1993).

In early February 1993, the Americans started an initiative to reconcile Habr Gedir and Murusade, who complained that their properties had been seized by the forces of General Mohamed Farah Aideed (AFP 6 Feb. 1993).

The clandestine Voice of the Somali Masses announced, in June 1993, that the Abgal and the Murusade had decided to fight not against the Habr Gedir of General Mohamed Farah Aideed, but against the "UNOSOM 2 clan" (23 June 1993).

In October 1993, a "unity conference" initiated by the Hawyie clans took place in Mogadishu but included neither the Abgal nor the Murusade (Voice of the Somali Republic 14 Oct. 1993). The beginning of 1994 saw another initiative to solve peacefully the conflict among Hawyie clans by calling for the return of properties to their legitimate owners (The Indian Ocean Newsletter 22 Jan. 1994, 2). However, the Murusade were kept out of the reconciliation meeting (ibid.).

Lastly, Somali factions allied with Ali Mahdi Mohamed fear the final withdrawal of UNOSOM 2 which will lead to a military vacuum, while Habr Gedir forces have called for such a withdrawal (ibid. 19 Feb. 1994, 4). The withdrawal is going ahead and is scheduled to be completed soon (ibid.).

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.

References

Africa Confidential [London]. 17 April 1992. "Somalia: Time to Take Stock."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 6 February 1993. Patrick Kamenka. "Incident somalo-américain: cinq Somaliens arrêtés." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 January 1993. "21 Somaliens tués dans l'attaque des Marines contre les partisans d'Aidid, selon des témoins." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 January 1993. Emmanuel Angleys. "Combats jeudi à l'aube au nord de Mogadiscio." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 December 1992. "The Tangled Tribal Make-up of Somalia." (NEXIS)

Le Devoir [Montréal]. 7 January 1993. "Lueur d'accord entre les chefs de clans somaliens."

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 19 February 1994. "Somalia: Situation Normal: Going Downhill."

_____. 22 January 1994. "Somalia: Rapprochement for Hawyie Clans."

Le Monde Diplomatique [Paris]. August 1992. "Guerre des clans, détresse des citoyens: infinie désespérance en Somalie."

Voice of the Somali Masses [Mogadishu, in Somali]. 23 June 1993. "Murarsade, Abgaal Clans Fighting Against UNOSOM-II." (FBIS-AFR-93-120 24 June 1993, p. 6).

Voice of the Somali Republic [Mogadishu, in Somali]. 14 October 1993. "Haawiye Clans Open Unity Conference in Mogadishu." (FBIS-AFR-93-199 18 Oct. 1993, p. 12).

The Washington Post. 22 January 1993. Keith B. Richburg. "Somali Clan Fights Remain Intractable; Less Prominent Warlords Flex Their Muscles." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 January 1993. Keith B. Richburg. "Mogadishu Clash Abates; U.S. Trims Troop Plan." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 January 1993. Keith B. Richburg. "Somali Factions Fight Near Capital; U.S. Intervention Hinted if Battle Continues." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Africa Confidential [London]. 17 April 1992. "Somalia: Time to Take Stock."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 6 February 1993. Patrick Kamenka. "Incident somalo-américain: cinq Somaliens arrêtés." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 January 1993. "21 Somaliens tués dans l'attaque des Marines contre les partisans d'Aidid, selon des témoins." (NEXIS)

_____. 7 January 1993. Emmanuel Angleys. "Combats jeudi à l'aube au nord de Mogadiscio." (NEXIS)

_____. 6 December 1992. "The Tangled Tribal Make-up of Somalia." (NEXIS)

Le Devoir [Montréal]. 7 January 1993. "Lueur d'accord entre les chefs de clans somaliens."

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 19 February 1994. "Somalia: Situation Normal: Going Downhill," p. 4.

_____. 22 January 1994. "Somalia: Rapprochement for Hawyie Clans," p. 2.

Le Monde Diplomatique [Paris]. August 1992. "Guerre des clans, détresse des citoyens: infinie désespérance en Somalie."

Professor of Public Administration, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. 2 March 1994. Telephone interview.

Voice of the Somali Masses [Mogadishu in Somali]. 23 June 1993. "Murarsade, Abgaal Clans Fighting Against UNOSOM-II." (FBIS-AFR-93-120 24 June 1993, p. 6).

Voice of the Somali Republic [Mogadishu in Somali]. 14 October 1993. "Haawiye Clans Open Unity Conference in Mogadishu." (FBIS-AFR-93-199 18 Oct. 1993, p. 12).

The Washington Post. 22 January 1993. Keith B. Richburg. "Somali Clan Fights Remain Intractable; Less Prominenet Warlords Flex Their Muscles." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 January 1993. Keith B. Richburg. "Mogadishu Clash Abates; U.S. Trims Troop Plan." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 January 1993. Keith B. Richburg. "Somali Factions Fight Near Capital; U.S. Intervention Hinted if Battle Continues." (NEXIS)