Document #1162967
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
The Gadabursi traditionally occupy the
territory to the west of Hargeisa around the town of Borama
(Leatherbee and Bricker Jan. 1994, 28). The Somali Democratic
Association (SDA) largely represents the interests of the
Gadabursi, and is opposed to the secession of Somaliland from the
rest of Somalia (ibid., 29). According to Ethnic and Political
Movements in Ethiopia and Somalia,
the Gadabursi number an estimated 300,000, making up about 8% of
the northern population. They are ideally situated to a play a role
out of the proportion to their strength, being centred around
Borama to the sea, and west well in to Ethiopia ... The largest sub
clan is the Madahasi which neighbours the Jibril Abokr (Saad
Musa/Habr Awal/Issaq) near Gebiley. The Madahasi have a reputation
of being relatively conservative. The second main sub clan is the
Makahil, more significant politically with such sub clans as the
Jibril Yunis around Borama and Lafayisa; the Rer Ugas, mostly in
Ethiopia around Aw Bare (also called Teferi and West; and the Rer
Yunis centred on Dilla but also across the border around Aw Bare
(inside Somaliland, they also neighbour the Jibril Abokr and have
poor relations with them. The third sub clan is the Arfan which
lives north west of Borama and is the least regarded of the three
... The Third political grouping among the Gadabursi is essentially
Makahil, and now no longer lays claim to the SDA name ... Their
relationship with the SNM (Somali National Movement) can probably
be desribed as "'non-participatory'" (Gilkes July 1992, 49).
A Somali professor in the Department of
African Studies at the University of Florida in Gainsville and a
Somali former director of Higher education, now resident ottawa
agreed that the Gadabursi like the Dulbahante are divided in terms
of their support for the government of Somaliland (4 May 1994; and
6 Apr. 1994). The majority of the Gadabursi reportedly do not
support the government, but it is important to note that the
vice-president is Gadabursi, the speaker is Dulbahante and the
president is Isaaq. These sources further stated that the
government has not extended its administration to Gadabursi
territory (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.
Gilkes, Patrick. July 1992. "Ethnic and
Political Movement in Ethiopia and Somalia." London: UK.
Leatherbee, L. and Bricker, D. January
1994. Balancing Consensus and Dissent: The Prospects for
Human Rights and Democracy in the Horn of Africa. New York: The
Fund for Peace.
Somali former director fo higher
education in Somalia, Ottawa. 4 May 1994. Telephone interview.
Somali professor of African studies,
University of Florida, Gainsville. 6 April 1994. Telephone
interview.