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Sanaag

Coordinates: 10°46′45″N 48°11′9″E / 10.77917°N 48.18583°E / 10.77917; 48.18583
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Sanaag
Region
Location in Somalia.
Location in Somalia.
Country Somaliland[1]
CapitalErigavo
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Sanaag ([Sanaag] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)) is an administrative region (gobolka) in central Somaliland.[2] Its capital city is Erigavo.

Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the Somaliland regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Bari.

The most important towns in the region are Ceerigaabo, Ceel Afweyn, Buraan, Hadaaftimo, Mindigale, Xingalool, Yubbe, Ceelbuh, Damala Xagare, Maydh, Elaayo and Gar Adag.[3]

Local control of Sanaag is disputed between Somaliland, the autonomous Puntland region. .[4]

History

Ruins of the Warsangali Sultanate in Las Khorey.

The Sanaag region and northern Somalia in general is home to numerous archaeological sites, with ancient ruins, buildings and cairns found at Haylaan, Qa’ableh, Qombo'ul, Maydh and Elaayo, among other places. However, many of these old structures have yet to be properly explored, a process which would help shed further light on local history and facilitate their preservation for posterity.[5] Sanaag is the hoding place of the tomb of shejk Isaaq the foundind father of the Isaaq clan in Maydh[6]

Demographics

The inhabitants of Sanaag are the Habar Yoonis and the Habar Jeclo, of the larger Isaaq clan of the Somali people.[7]

Geography

Camel in Almadow Forest, Somalia

Climate

Sanaag has four zones: the coastal area, the mountain range, the gypsum karsts plateau and the Sool Haud plateau. The latter is rich in pasture and has better water quality. Except for the elevated area of Erigavo district where rainfall records indicate an annual average of up to 800 mm(see "Cal Madow" topic), rainfall generally does not exceed 150 mm in most of the region.

Environment

A severe drought in the region in the early part of the 21st century caused an 80% or greater loss of livestock, though two good rainy seasons in 2004–2005 helped restore the area. Over a 15-year period of analysis, from 1988–2003, there was a 52% loss of forest and a 40% loss of grassland, and a 370% increase in bare land. Soil erosion due to weather and human activities and clearing of wood and brush for such uses as charcoal and fuel are issues leading to a degradation of the environment.[8]

Economy

Traditionally, the region maintained a diverse economy, producing and exporting livestock, frankincense, and leather. However, following the outbreak of the Somalia civil war, the region's economy collapsed from the loss of markets, dilapidated infrastructure and lack of investment. Now, the region only supports one main economy livestock rearing. The livestock ban imposed by the Gulf countries has virtually destroyed the economy in the region, reducing purchasing power and forcing pastoralists in the region to survive on subsistence activities. The increase in IDPs, coupled with the ban on livestock exports, has caused overstocking of animals in the region. As a result the numbers of livestock have exceeded the capacity of the available rangelands, leading to the latter's overuse and destruction.[9]

Transport

Sanaag lacks adequate transport, communication and other forms of infrastructure, leading to a chronic lack of public services, particularly important areas such as health services, education, agriculture and water supply. In the health sector, facilities are almost totally absent from villages to district capitals and there are skeletal health services being provided in the regional capital.[10]

Agriculture

The potential for agricultural development has been largely unexploited and much work is needed in the livestock sector to improve the quality of herds and reduce environmental degradation.[11]

Districts

Uniquely designed house in Badhan, Somalia

According to the federal government of Somalia, prior 1991, Sanaag was divided into 5 Districts which are as follows:[12]

Overview of Erigavo.

According to the Puntland administration, the Sanaag region consists of 10 districts with Badhan being the Capital of the region. The Transitional Federal government also recognizes Puntland as an official state so as its regions and districts. The Districts of Sanaag are:

Hadaaftimo, Somalia

According to the Somaliland administration, as of July 2002, Sanaag was formally divided into 10 districts, rated "A" through "D" in terms; districts graded "D" were limited, because "their district councils shall not be elected at first local government elections as their borders have not yet been delineated."[13] Thus, under the 2005 elections for the lower house of Parliament, Sanaag was described as only having six districts.[14] Here is the list of districts of Sanaag and their "Grade":

Hadaaftimo, Somalia



See also

Erigavo[15]

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.so.undp.org/census/
  2. ^ http://www.uhubso.com/index.asp-Q-Page-E-Sanaag-Region--31880915
  3. ^ http://www.so.undp.org/census/maps/sanaag.php
  4. ^ Somaliland’s Quest for International Recognition and the HBM-SSC Factor
  5. ^ Michael Hodd, East African Handbook, (Trade & Travel Publications: 1994), p.640.
  6. ^ http://www.uhubso.com/index.asp-Q-Page-E-Sanaag-Region--31880915
  7. ^ http://www.uhubso.com/index.asp-Q-Page-E-Facts-about-Somaliland--18328059
  8. ^ "Environmental Study of Degradation in the Sool Plateau and Gebi Valley: Sanaag Region of Northern Somalia" (PDF). Horn Relief. 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ http://www.so.undp.org/census/background/sanaag.php
  10. ^ http://www.so.undp.org/census/background/sanaag.php
  11. ^ http://www.so.undp.org/census/background/sanaag.php
  12. ^ Gwillim Law, "Districts of Somalia ", Statoids, December 31, 1990
  13. ^ "Republic of Somaliland: Regions and Districts Law (Law No: 23/2002)". Translation of Republic of Somaliland government document. 29 July 2002. Archived from the original on 26 November 2006. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
  14. ^ "Somaliland: Elections for the Lower House of Parliament September 2005" (PDF). Norwegian Centre for Human Rights/NORDEM. September 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2007. [dead link]
  15. ^ http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/59149-Sanaag-parlementarians-and-elders-dissapointed-in-Somaliland-s-Goverment


10°46′45″N 48°11′9″E / 10.77917°N 48.18583°E / 10.77917; 48.18583

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