Somalia: Information on the Geledi subclan of the Digil, on where their traditional homeland is in Somalia, on in which region they are currently concentrated, and on whether they have an internal flight alternative in Somalia
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SOM20321.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Information on the Geledi subclan of the Digil, on where their traditional homeland is in Somalia, on in which region they are currently concentrated, and on whether they have an internal flight alternative in Somalia, 1 April 1995, SOM20321.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2890.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was obtained in a telephone interview with a professor and Somalia specialist at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis (10 Apr. 1995). According to the professor, the Geledi are found in southern Somalia, in an area between the rivers Jubba (also spelled Juba) and Shebele (also spelled Shabelle). This area includes the town of Baidoa. However, the professor stated that the Geledi would be found throughout the region and not exclusively in Baidoa. The professor added that there has been substantial population movement during the past 50 to 60 years, so that the Geledi may in fact be found beyond their "traditional homeland." According to the professor, conditions for the Geledi may be "tenuous at best." The professor added that "they may be safe from bullets, but their harvest may not be safe from roving gangs." The professor stated that the vulnerability of this group was "highly context specific, highly contingent," depending on the behaviour of roving armed gangs in the area. The professor was of the opinion that internal flight alternatives for the Geledi, indeed of any Somali, was highly dependent on local conditions. The professor explained that the situation in Somalia is so fluid that a safe area one day can become a "hell-hole" the next day. Regarding protective alliances between the Geledi and other clans, the professor stated that such patron to client relationships were contingent on the circumstances. According to the professor, it is "quite conceivable" that the Geledi could develop new alliances given the "arbitrary nature of alliance building" in Somalia today. The professor also stated that Somalis could not expect protection from another group simply because the two groups shared a common ancestry. The professor was of the opinion that clan identity would be "highly problematic" as the basis for assessing the risk and danger faced by Somalis under current conditions in Somalia. The professor said it would be simplistic to make an assessment because of clan affiliation without knowing the particular circumstances of the individual or individuals. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
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.
Reference
University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. 10 April 1995. Telephone interview with professor and Somalia specialist.