Somaliland: Update to SML26165.E of 14 February 1997 on the situation in Zeila, including who is controlling it, whether there is fighting in the area, and whether refugees are returning
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SML30924.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somaliland: Update to SML26165.E of 14 February 1997 on the situation in Zeila, including who is controlling it, whether there is fighting in the area, and whether refugees are returning, 1 January 1999, SML30924.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab7588.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. |
Specific information on the situation in Zeila town could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However the attachment from the 1998 UN Report, available on the Internet site of the Amoud University, a Somali university in Borama, Awdal, provides a portrait of Awdal region, including political and socioeconomic aspects, which may be of interest. On its page 5, it states that "With the exception of two sparsely-inhabited pockets of Ciise and Issaq, the Gadabuursi clan dominates Awdal region. As a result, regional politics in Awdal is almost synonymous with Gadabuursi internal clan affairs". Zeila, Baki, Borama and Lughaya are the largest cities in the Awdal region (ibid., 1).
During a 5 January 1998 telephone interview, a representative of the Institute for Practical Research (IPR), an non-profit independent research and educational institute based in Hargeisa, Somaliland stated that there is no fighting in Awdal's cities, including Zeila. However, the representative of the IPR was unable to confirm whether or not refugees are returning to the city as they are to Borama city.
An unsuccessful attempt to reach UNHCR's branch office in Hergeissa was made.
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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Amoud University, Borama, Somalia. 1998. "Awadal State (Somalia)". [Internet]
Representative, Institute for Practical Research (IPR) [Hargeisa], Somaliland. 5 January 1999. Telephone internview.
Attachment
Amoud University, Borama, Somalia. 1998. "Awadal State (Somalia)". [Internet]
Additional Sources Consulted
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1997-November 1998.
Electronic sources: IRB databases, Global Newsbank, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, WNC.
Two oral sources consluled did not provide information on Zeila town.