Quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Somalia

Last modified: 2022-10-22 by bruce berry
Keywords: somalia |
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• Background

• Somalia
• Somalia - national index
• Somaliland
• Quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Somalia (A - G)
• Quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Somalia (H - Q)
• Quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Somalia (R - Z)
• Quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Somaliland
• Quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Puntland
• Al-Shabaab
• Galmudug State
• Jubaland
• Puntland
• South-West Somalia
• Islamic Courts Union (ICU)

Background

As a result of many years of civil war and the emergence of a number of armed rival "clans" seeking to establish hegemony, Somalia is considered a "failed" state as currently no central governing authority has exclusive control over the entire country. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is the recognised central government authority but its control is weak and a number of areas and local authorities within Somalia have declared themselves "independent" of the TFG or aligned themselves with its opponents and do not recognise it as the legitimate governing authority.

The Transitional Federal Government has nominal control in the centre of the country and has the support of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and Al-Shabaab. In the north and north-west five quasi-independent areas have formed since the 1990s, namely:
Galmudug
Maakhir
Northland
Puntland
Somaliland
South-Western Somalia has declared itself autonomous in the southern part of the country.

Some of these areas, like Somaliland, have declared themselves fully independent republic and established rival governing and administrative structures while others such as Puntland do not recognise the authority of the TFG and have declared themselves "autonomous". Some of these quasi-independent and semi-autonomous regions in Somalia have also adopted distinctive symbols, including flags, while others continue to use the Somali flag.

There are also a variety of smaller entities, usually based on towns and cities, which have also declared themselves autonomous from the central governing authority. 

The full list of quasi independent areas in Somalia is indicated below, and here for those in Puntland and Somaliland.  

• Abweyn
• Ahlu Sunna wal Jama'a
• Arladi
• Awdal
• Azania
• Banaadir-Shabelle State
• Barawa
• Benaadir State
• Cagaaran
• Ceelbaraf State
• Ceelbur
• Darwishland
• Dooxada Shabelle
• Dooxo State
• Federated Hinterland State
• Gaarodi
• Gal-Hiiraan and Haradhere State
• Galgaduud State
• Ganaane
• Gedoland
• Geel State
• Greenland State
• Hamar and Hamardaye State
• Hiiraan State
• Hiiraan and Shabelle
• Jiin Webi
• Juba and Shabelle
• Juba Jazira State
• Juba Raas State
• Juba Shabelle
• Juba Valley Regional State
• Khaatumo State
• Maayland
• Mareeg State
• Marka
• Middle Shabelle
• Midland
• Northland
• Salal State
• Shabelle
• Somali Central State
• Sool, Sanaag and Cayn State
• Sool Guul State
• South Somalia
• Udubland State
• Waax Waadi State
• Ximan and Xeeb (Himan and Heeb) Administration
• Xiriir State

 Bruce Berry, 26 Jan 2015

[The situation around these areas is very fluid and the accuracy of the information presented below is subject to further confirmation and verification. - Ed]