Sanaag

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Location of Sanaag in northern Somalia

Sanaag (Somali: Sanaag) is a region (gobol) in northern Somalia. Sanaag is claimed by the two self-proclaimed but internationally-unrecognized states of Somaliland, Puntland, and the self-declared autonomous state Maakhir. It was the largest region of formerly British Somaliland protectorate. Its capital city is Ceerigaabo (Erigavo).

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

The most important towns are Ceerigaabo, Badhan, Las Khorey, Dhahar, Ceel Afweyn, Hadaaftimo,Mindigale, Xingalool, Yubbe City, Buraan, Damala Xagare, Maydh, Ceelbuh, Gar Adag, Hadaaftimo, Kaladhacda, and Awrboogays.

[edit] 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.^[1]

[edit] Territorial dispute

Main article: Somaliland-Puntland dispute

Somaliland border dispute with Puntland. As of July 1, 2007, part of the disputed territory declared the state of Maakhir.

Sanaag is a disputed region, claimed as sovereign territory by the two self-proclaimed but internationally-unrecognized states of Somaliland and Puntland, as well as defined as part of the Somali Republic according to the 2004 Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

The dispute between Somaliland and Puntland stems from 1998, when Puntland formed and declared the region as part of its territory.^[2] Prior to that, it had been claimed by Somaliland since the 1991 events of the Somali Civil War.

Beginning in 2003, the forces of Puntland entered and occupied the region based on irredentist desires, due to the large Darod clan population in the area. Somaliland claimed the territory as part of the original bounds of British Somaliland. Fighting between the two forces led to casualties and captured prisoners, who were later exchanged. As a related contention, in 2005 Puntland tried to sell off mineral rights to foreign investors, including the disputed territories of Sool and Sanaag.^[3][4]

The dispute with the TFG stems from the passage of the new Charter in November 2004. However, this was not a pragmatic issue until the military successes of the government in the 2006–2007 war in Somalia. Assertions of sovereignty in January 2007 by the TFG leadership sparked riots in Somaliland, both for and against a reunification with the south.^[5][6]

In July 1, 2007, the state of Maakhir was declared on the area. It claims independence from both Puntland and Somaliland.^[7]

[edit] Districts of Sanaag Region

According to the Republic of Somalia, before 1991 Sanaag was Divided into 5 Districts which are as follows:^[8]

• Badhan - Warsangeli
• Ceel Afwayn - Isaaq
• Ceerigaabo - Isaaq, Warsangeli and Dhulbahante
• Dhahar - Warsangeli
• Laasqoray - Warsangeli

According to the Republic of Puntland, 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 as its regions and districts. The Districts of Sanaag are:

• Erigavo - Habar Yonis, Warsangeli and Dhulbahante
• Hadaaftimo - Warsangeli
• Xingalol - Warsangeli
• Dhahar - Warsangeli
• Buraan - Warsangeli
• Xabasha Wacle - Warsangeli
• Badhan - Warsangeli
• Las Khorey - Warsangeli
• Kaladhacda - Warsangeli
• Ceelbuh - Warsangeli

According to the Republic of Somaliland, 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."^[9] Thusly, under the 2005 elections for the lower house of Parliament, Sanaag was described as only having six districts.^[10] Here is the list of districts of Sanaag and their "Grade":

• Erigavo (A) - Habar Yonis, Warsengeli and Dhulbahante
• El-Afweyn (A) - Isaaq
• Badhan (A) - Warsengeli
• Lasqoray (A) - Warsangeli
• Dhahar (A) - Warsangeli
• Gar-adag (D) - Isaaq
• Xingalool (B) - Warsengeli
• Ceelbuh (D) - Warsengeli
• Buraan (C) - Warsengeli
• Hadaaftimo (C) - Warsengeli

[edit] See also

• Northern Somali sultanates

[edit] Image Gallery

Declaration of Maakhir, Badhan	Declaration of Maakhir, Badhan	Erigavo city, the capital city of Sanaag, Somalia	Centre of Badhan, Maakhir, Somalia
Nice house in Badhan, Maakhir	Another top house in Badhan, Maakhir, Somalia	Almadow Forest, Maakhir, Somalia	Almadow Forest, Maakhir, Somalia
Almadow Forest, Maakhir, Somalia	Almadow Forest, Maakhir, Somalia	Hadaaftimo, Maakhir, Somalia	Hadaaftimo, Maakhir, Somalia
Almadow Forest, Maakhir, Somalia

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Ethiopian Internet Newsletter, The Eritrea-Ethiopia Conflict Webpage, Issue No. 10
• Gwillim Law, "Districts of Somalia", Statoids, December 31, 1990
• Map of Puntland State. Puntlandgov (October 2006). Retrieved on 03-16-07.
• Laasqorey port
• Togdheer News Network (in Somaliland).
• Makhir.com
• LaasQoray.net
• RadioSanaag.com
• Dhahar.com
• AllSanaag.com
• Kismaayo
• The Birth of the Somaliland Protectorate's own Postage Stamps (PDF file).
• puntlandgovt
• somalilandgov

v • d • e  Regions of Somaliland Disputed regions shown in italics Awdal · Saaxil · Sanaag · Sool · Togdheer · Woqooyi Galbeed