Khatumo State

Khatumo State of Somalia
  • Dowlad Goboleedka Khaatumo ee Soomaaliya  (Somali)
  • ولاية خاتمة  (Arabic)
  • Wilāyat Arḍ al-Khatoum aṣ-Ṣūmāliyyah
Flag
Anthem: Qolobaa Calankeed
Capital
and largest city		Las Anod
9°8′N 48°25′E / 9.133°N 48.417°E / 9.133; 48.417
Official languages
Demonym Khatumite[1]
Government Autonomous presidential democracy
 •  President Ali Khalif Galaydh
 •  Vice President Abdul Sulub
Autonomy within Somalia
 •  Established 2012 
Population
 •  2014 estimate 500,000
Currency Somali shilling (SOS)
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
 •  Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+3)
Calling code +252 (Somalia)
Internet TLD .so

Khatumo State (Somali: Khaatumo, Arabic: ولاية خاتمة‎‎), officially the Khatumo State of Somalia (Somali: Dowlad Goboleedka Khaatumo ee Soomaaliya), is an unrecognized region in northern Somalia. Centered on the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn or SSC provinces, its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 2012.[2] Khatumo State is primarily inhabited by the Somali clan of Dhulbahante.

Overview

Historically, the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) regions of Somalia served as the seats of both the Warsangeli Sultanate and the Dervish State.

A Khatumo State launch ceremony in Dubai (2013).

Control of the territory is disputed between Khatumo State (formerly HBM-SSC or Hoggaanka Badbaadada iyo Mideynta SSC) and the autonomous Puntland and Somaliland regions of Somalia.[3]

According to the Northern Somali Unionist Movement (NSUM), Khatumo State's precursor, NSUM stands for the promotion of peace, reconciliation and unity among all people from Somalia. The organization does not recognize the self-declared independence of Somaliland. It also opposes the 2007 occupation of the Sool province by Somaliland troops.[4] In 2010, NSUM militants were involved in clashes between themselves and Somaliland militia near Widhwidh, in the Cayn region of Somalia.

In 2012, the Khatumo State administration was finalized after a series of domestic and overseas conferences beginning in 2007 between prominent political figures, traditional leaders and local residents. The territory's capital was initially at Taleh.[2] Since August 2014, Las Anod serves as Khatumo State's declared administrative center.[5]

Khatumo is derived from an Arabic term meaning a "positive conclusion." The administration's stated aim is to bring development and stability to the region through the establishment of a locally based government.[2]

Demographics

Most residents belong to the Somali ethnic group, with the Dhulbahante sub-clan of the Harti Darod especially well represented. Other clans with a presence in the region include the Faqashini-Ayr, Abdirahman Harti (Kaskiqabe) and Gabooye.[2]

Major towns

Government

Administrative divisions of Khatumo State.

The Khatumo State governmental authority is structured somewhat differently from Somalia's other autonomous regional administrations. At its establishment, it had three presidents, four councils and various ministerial positions.[2] In August 2014, Member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia and former Prime Minister of Somalia Ali Khalif Galaydh was elected President of Khatumo State. He defeated former co-president Mohamed Yusuf Jama (Indhosheel) by 21 votes to 9. Assembly members, who had been appointed by traditional leaders, also selected Abdul Sulub as Vice President.[6]

President

Incumbent
Former

Vice President

Councils

As of April 2012, the executive branch of the Khatumo State administration included:[2]

Ministers

Deputies

Other

Military

Khatumo maintains its own security forces. Exclusively financed by the state administration, they are tasked with assuring local security and defending the region's borders. According to Khatumo President Abdinuur Elmi Qaaji, the forces are well trained and armed.[2] Khatumo troops have been deployed in defence operations against invading Somaliland troops in Buhoodle and other disputed towns within SSC territory.[2][7] As of 2012, Khatumo forces are led by Abdirisak Fanah, with Omar Jama Saleiman serving as official spokesman.[8][9]

Economy

Livestock is the backbone of the Khatumo State's economy. Camel, cattle, goats and sheep are exported from the region and other parts of northern Somalia to neighboring Gulf Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia.[10] In rural areas, some farming is also practiced.[11]

Khatumo State's social and economic infrastructure is in the gradual process of rehabilitation after a prolonged period of conflict.[2] Remittances sent by Somali expatriates to relatives in the region contribute significantly to the local economy. Through the construction of a new air transportation facility, Khatumo officials have sought to encourage the repatriation of SSC residents. The returnees would in turn be accommodated in newly built hotels, restaurants and other businesses, which would serve to create additional employment opportunities.[11]

Transportation

Air transportation in Khatumo State is served by the Taleh Airport (Taleex Airport). The facility is named in honor of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, leader of the Dervish State. Air travel to Taleh Airport was planned and organized by Khatumo officials. On 4 December 2012, the airport hosted its inaugural flight from Mogadishu, the national capital.[11]

Additionally, the Ismail Mire International Airport began providing flights to and from Buuhoodle in April 2014.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Somalia". World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "What is Khatumo State?". Somalia Report. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  3. ↑ Somaliland’s Quest for International Recognition and the HBM-SSC Factor
  4. ↑ "About us: Northern Somali Unionist Movement (NSUM)". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "SOMALIA: New Khatumo President vows to liberate Las'anod town from Somaliland forces". Raxanreeb. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Somalia: Puntland leader arrives back in Garowe after provincial tour". Garowe Online. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Somalia: Silanyo calls for peace after Somaliland forces clash with armed group". Garowe Online. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Omar, Shiine (2 August 2012). "Deadly Fighting in Buhoodle". Somalia Report. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  9. ↑ Said Ismail, Aweys Cadde (26 January 2012). "Somaliland Attacks Khatumo Militia". Somalia Report. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Livestock: The Mainstay". FAO. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 Hashi, Ahmed. "Khatumo State Gains Access to International Air Travel". Awdalstate. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "DEG DEG:Diyaaradi Labaad Oo buhodle Iyo taleeex Ku Wajahan sacadaha Soo Socda". Marqaan News. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.

External links

Coordinates: 8°15′17″N 46°19′42″E / 8.25472°N 46.32833°E / 8.25472; 46.32833 (Buuhoodle)

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