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Discovering Truth of Sanaag Prepared by Abdulkadir Ahmed Hassan Sanag Media Group 25/10/2012                                                         Daahfurka Xaqiiq Tel: +252634017243 Mail to: umunaar@hotmail.com

Introduction:

The general purpose of this report is to reveal the information of Sanaag region historically, traditionally, politically and economically. This region is the home to different natural resources but presently remains to be one of the least developed areas in Somali land for the following reasons:

1.Tribalism and Ignorance

2.Division of society in political views

3.Geographical isolation

The current report also touches the contemporary issues prevailing in the region including the environmental and marine depletion in a time that local communities are not still aware of this loss in addition to weakness of governmental protection mechanism.

The report also provides significant information regarding to the past situations of the region and there contains some antique names of places and well-known individuals  including the pharaoh in Somaliland known as  Essa Deero Mooge who established his reign between the border of eastern Habar Yonis and the Warsangeli tribes in Geelweyto and Laasqoray. This report is to give you only the impression of Sanag region in general but must not be fact based in hundred percent since there were no previous written records that can support this information.

Background

Sanag is a huge region situated on the eastern of Somaliland republic. The capital of the region is Erigavo and the region consist of three main districts namely as Badhan, Elafweyn and Erigavo.

Population and Land

The population of the region is estimated 3,50000. The economy of Sanag is primarily based on livestock raising but crop farming is also another important feature of economy for Erigavo district. The region of Sanag occupies an area of 50912km square which is equal 37% of the total area of Somaliland republic, 137,600 square km.

Objectives

a)Provide adequate and reliable information about Sanag region to the organizations, governments and individuals who are interested to understand more about the history of Sanag region.

b)To draw the attention of international community and to enhance their interest in the region to deal with the prevailing inflammatory situations.

History of Sanag region

The history of the region dates from ancient times, when the land was known to the ancient Egyptians as Punt. Sheikh Izahak Binu Ahmed was one of the Arab Muftis who brought the religion to the horn of Africa and he settled the natural harbor of Maydh along the coast of the Gulf of Aden in the 12th century. However the story tellers described that Sheikh Izahak asked the Emperor of Magadleh tribe to marry his daughter with the recommendation of Jibrahiil, a young man of Ogaden descent and the emperor accepted the proposal. The place where the wedlock ceremony took place is called Xilla Arusa located on Siradley Mountain, (Magadleh was one of the powerful Cushitic tribes who controlled the area of Somaliland in that era).

Most of the tribesmen of Magadleh were later on for some reasons migrated and settled in some parts of Rwanda and Burundi countries but a few number of Magadleh offspring still remain in the region and pay Dia with Eastern HY in Erigavo district. Sanag is a multi-clannish region which is famous for different folktales and oral traditions.

Thousands of world’s untold stories are widely spread throughout the region. The symbols and scripts of ancient languages and other characters have been found in various caves on the mountainous areas in the region. It is believed that archeological explorations will be useful contribution to the knowledge of the region and it is possible that some investigations have been made but their records have never been exposed on televisions, at news papers or the other related internet social media channels apart from some videos and pictures that local journalist named Abdulahi Hussein Darwiish took from the ancient ruins of the region but unfortunately, he kept his data from public. The Coordinator of Ministry of Youth and Tourism for sanaag region Mr. Mohamed Saeed Sallah dhegayare also sacrificed his time and spent long period to discover the ancient Sanaag and during a trip to high lands of the region, we discovered human graves including weapons, vessels and other artifacts dating to prehistoric times.

There are also historical monuments, statues and other elaborate burial places of ancient in the region. Multiple unknown graves are still visited in different parts of Sanag region such as the White Grave in Dinawlahe Mountain and Sheikh Noah in Shidalehe valley. The other notable forefathers who settled in the region with well-known tombs include Sheikh Samaron burried in Dibgah, (the great freelance journalist, Hamish wilson visited this area 20 years ago) as well as Sheikh Issa in Eleye village and Sheikh Ismail Aljabarji buried in Hayland near Badhan town. Sanag is a hidden planet. The information and knowledge of the region is limited but Haji Adam Ahmed Afqaloc can be a great reference and source of information and I tried to translate the following passages of his poem where he mentioned more facts of Sanag region in every aspect.

The history is a lamp for us which helps the intelligence

You may achieve the reality just as you are in doubt

You make out how things were in different areas from your own perspective

The greatest of our land is that Erigavo with beauty landscape

It is the first Makhir coast settled in archaic times

Majesty and brilliance typifies the same as Lebanon

It is a prosperous place with water and black mountains

Like marbles is that her stones with special mode

The Mufti of Isaak settled there and the prized Darood

The Men of rule in medieval period of Magadleh and the lineage of Misanle Still lasting but small in numberSome of them died of plagues while others migrated

As a consequence slight number of their survivals remains in power at present

The abode of Queen Arrawelo and the forgotten repository of Gelweyto

Surprise to he who visited Maduna and Godqorane (the engraved cave)

The monuments and statues shaped like houses indicate where treasures have been furtively hidden and where deposits of cliff dwellers and their heritages have been stored.

Important Places and People

Arrawelo or Hatshepsut

The story of Queen Arrawelo is common to everywhere that Somali resides and said was a despotic ruler who committed atrocious retributions against men such as a castration or removal of reproductive organs of men in prehistoric times. This woman who is sometimes regarded as the female pharaoh Hatshepsut was reported that she ruled the Land of Punt.

Mr. Siciid Mohamoud Faarah (godane) who lives in Erigavo includes one of the men who spent much time in in studying the early knowledge of the region. He described that somewhere in Cal –Urursuge Mountains is called Hazasha which is name that emblematically standing for Hatshepsut.

The mountain people in Hazasha area and some parts of Daalo still practice various forms of folk customs which may be based on real characters as a part of historical events related to Hatsheput ; for instance there are numerous sites in different locations where Arrawelo implemented some of her brutal actions that still today the men or male passers-by throw stones over these sites to show an extreme dislike for her but women unlike men often try to plant followers or a woman may cut and tear a piece of cloth from her dress to put up over the place to show respect for Arrawelo.

Some people explained that Hatshepsut took valuable materials from Sanag region that she used for construction of her mortuary temple at Dayr-Al bahri near Thebes in Egypt.

Geelweyto, Maduna and Godqorane

Gelweyto is situated on the eastern coast of the region. The area is located a large cave with wall paintings, Godqorane which means the (engraved cave) mentioned in the poem is a historical site on the west of Elafweyn district.

Maduna

The ancient village of Maduna is located across the wadi of Caday-Misbax to the east of Elafweyn but since the Somali people had no written confirmations,the story of Mudana has been interpreted in various ways. The first narrative says that Mudana town should be the Median where the prophet of Moses sought refuge after killing one of his enemies.

The prophet of Moses worked for the old man in Maduna possibly named Shucayb for ten years as shepherd and married one of his daughters called Dalo. The beautiful mountain of Daalo derives its name from the daughter of Shucayb Dalo. However when his contract finished as agreed, It was time for Moses to go back to Egypt with his family but on his way back, Moses and his family halted that night a place not far from Maduna namely as Gol-dabcad where he saw the burning bush in the Wadi of Gal-dabcad which means the valley of blazing fire.

Moses left his family as he was ordered to warn for the arrogant Pharaoh but he found again his family after the Exodus (departure of the Israelites from Egypt). Moses left his nation in the desert and assigned his duties for his brother Aaron and he set foot to Maduna where he left his family to get back his wife.

However, Moses was angry with his brother when he came back after he noticed that Israelites worshiped the bull during the forty days of his leave to Maduna. The sister of Moses Miriam also criticized on his return for marrying Cushitic woman and for this criticism, Miriam was cursed and she was stricken with leprosy.

The second narrative says that Mudana was founded during middle ages or medieval period by the Ottoman Turkish Sultan named Murad 1362-1389. (Source Bashe Adan Hassan)`

The term of Maduna or Madina in Arabic means (town) and the Ottoman Empire gave such a title not only to Maduna but also more places they established towns. The emperor of Murad 1 also constructed several other towns in the neighborhood of Maduna presently known as Kal-sheikh and God-Anod with ruins much comparable to Maduna. The popular religious man named sheikh Baahi-Laawe buried in Kalshiekh includes the first students graduated from Maduna boarding school.

The Ruins of Maduna

The Osmans established buildings of new Islamic centers in Mudana and other places where local communities sent their children to be educated.

These Islamic centers were boarding schools which offered lodging to many students in addition to learning the holly Quran and other Islamic studies. The students of Maduna College from different Somali clans understood the religion and they hated tribalism seen as division of Islam and therefore they formed a union called Sheikhyaal but recently known as Sheikhaal. Sheikhaal presently is one of the Somali clans who live Negeyle in the south east of Ethiopia.

Departure of Turkish.

The stories about ruins of Maduna vary while some people point out to the wreckage of this ancient town was followed with the death of Murad1 who died in Kosovo war whereby the Turkish scholars left the area in connection with the death of their king. After the departure of Turkish religious teachers, the new Islamic centers were no longer functioning and the local Somali dwellers of Maduna soon after vacated the centers and returned to their origin of the nomadic migrating lifestyle. Maduna turned into derelict when the townsfolk abandoned and it has become the home of ghouls.

The attack of the evil spirits

The Chief Aqil of Gahayle clan named Ali told me that evil spirits destroyed Maduna and after the attack not a single building was left standing in the village except the mosque. There was a large building of school hosting sixty students in Maduna Village. In Maduna town, there was a man called Sufi-Baaleh who claimed to have some supernatural powers. He was one of those mystics who argued for example they prayed different areas with in one day The teacher of the boarding school hated the sight of this conjurer because of his fantasy and he warned several times for him to stay out of his students affairs. However, one evening after the sunset, while Sufi Baale was walking somewhere outside of Maduna namely Laso-Jan (ponds of Jinx) he met a great influx of migrating demons from Harar Ethiopia and he called them requesting to stay overnight at Maduna. The evil spirits got angry and beat him. They also ruined the whole town killing all of its inhabitants except one of the students.

Geographic features of the region and Climate

The region of Sanag is topographically divided into three main geographical areas which are locally known as Guban. CaL and Ogo:

·The region of Guban which means the (burning land) is regarded to be the low lying coastal plain areas with hot climate. The livelihood of Guban community depends on frankincense and myrrh collection and livestock rearing mostly goats. The region has more than 30 empty rivers about 40km long. The water that flows down Togs (river that is usually dry except when it has rained) during the rainy seasons out let to the sea

The land of Cal: is the highland and mountainous areas bounded on the north by the region. The highest peak of Somaliland Shimbibiris sits an altitude of 2450mt above the sea level is a part of Cal. The climate is cold in Cal areas and the livelihood of the population mostly relies on subsistence farming and cattle rearing.

The land of Ogo: which comprises the largest part of the three is characterized by the flat grazing plateaus. The climate of Ogo is dry and cold in winter. The population of Ogo land is nomadic pastoralists and a few sedentary pastoralists (land-enclosures). The main sources of water for Ogo land are boreholes, berkeds or ponds. The residents of Habowga and Aduur valleys situated between Erigavo and Jidaleh are sedentary pastoralists and this area is the main rain fed agricultural zone.

Climate

The climate of Sanag region Apart from Cal areas where the rainfall is abundant ranges from tropical to subtropical and from arid to semiarid. Temperatures usually average 28°C (82°F), but may be as low as 0°C (32°F) in the Cal mountain areas and the capital city of Erigavo and as high as 47°C (116°F) along the coast. There are two rainy seasons locally known as GU which commences late of March to mid of June and Dayr season from September to November. The region receives annual rainfall about 300 mm.

Vegetation

Vegetation in Sanag region consists of chiefly the grass and different types of acacia trees, other important trees include Junipers trees found in Daalo and Surad forests and the frankincense and myrrh plants notably grow between 650 - 1500 meters above sea level towards the coastline. The frankincense tree thrives in arid conditions and grows on specific rock-crust at the coastal escarpment.

Environmental Issues

The region of Sanag presently undergoes grave environmental depletions. Problems of land degradation affected the traditional pastoral production system which has been the mainstay of the local communities and the basic source of livelihood of Sanag region. It seems that government of Somaliland has given little consideration to the environmental issues prevailing in the region although governmental intervention needed is far and beyond the ability of the regime.

The regional ministry of environment which is responsible for addressing environmental problems has not enough capacity to enforce or implement the national environmental policy and its regulations but at least the ministry is needed to document and to report the prevailing situation so that earlier interventions could be made in response to the problem. Land degradation problems.

The worst type of land degradation affected in the region is mainly the Overuse vegetation due to the clearing and burning of trees for charcoal production. The community of Sanag region are not aware the importance of trees which is protecting the land against erosion, the wearing away of topsoil due to wind and water.

The Ogo land of the region particularly the rangelands of Erigavo district lost vegetation cover and have now turned into wasteland that will no longer support animal or human life if the situation persists. Although there is no quantitative land degradation assessment that has been made but it is measured that more than 60% of the land in the region has been eroded including the Mountains of Siradley and Surud which are the main sources of water for irrigation and human consumption for thousands of people living in the mountains and down country including the capital city of Erigavo.

The Sool areas and Siradley Mountain include areas which are near to become waste land whereas they were once the home to many species of plants and animals. The highest peak of Somaliland Shimbiris.

Sanag is a mountainous region and important mountains include Samaad, Yanqarah; Siradley, Dinawlahe, Surad, Daalo, Cabaydh, Garad, Aroor Bari Mountains, Geeldoora and Gacan Maroodi.

There is a need to conserve the nature of such mountains as the extinction of species would have a great influence on the earth’s ecosystem.

The mountains also provide a number of other benefits including natural balance of the environment, stabilization, protection of soil, stability of climate, promotion of tourism and creation of employment opportunities.

The degradation of mountains is because of lack of control over live stock numbers, grazing intensity and clear cutting of trees therefore we have to dedicate ourselves to protecting the natural integrity of our mountains so that we may bestow upon our future generations this natural legacy and this can be done at by the active collaboration of Public and Private Sectors.

The mist forests of Daalo and Surad are the only true forest areas of Somaliland and they are important centers of biological diversity. On account of their biological richness, the mist forests have the ability to remove moisture from the air as it blows in from the coast and rise above the plateau which is very important for pastoralists during dry seasons and periods of drought. Both Surad and Daalo highlands host one of the largest and most intact mist forest areas in Somaliland but unfortunately the local people are not well aware of the importance of these forests to their livelihoods, especially for the grazing and water resources they provide. The mist forest areas were previously protected but the management system was disrupted by the civil wars and the absence of government protection mechanisms led to indiscriminate tree cutting particularly Junipers trees and over grazing.

In response to the situation, the German Agro Action and Somaliland Environmental Youth Organization both implemented in these areas projects related environmental awareness raising, forest plantation and forest management.

The Candlelight NGO also contributed to the environmental conservation and awareness among the masses but awareness was very limited in coverage.

The yearly charcoal output from the region is estimated to be 1000.000 sacks each weighing 25kg and 60% is exported- while 40% percent of the charcoal is used for -local consumption. Producing such a volume requires cutting down about 500.000 thousand of acacia nilotica and bussie trees which is a massive deforestation problem.

Environmental problems in Eastern Sanag

The entire local community of Eastern Sanag predominantly depends on pastoral activities for their living. The land of eastern Sanag traditionally known as (Mandaqatul Warsangeli) or Warsangeli territory comprises the Gebi areas as well as the Hadeed plateau and the range land of Dhahar district. These areas have been experiencing less environmental depletions due to environmental protection activities carried out by the local communities.

The land of eastern Sanag previously included the areas suffered from a severe environmental loss and witnessed a massive outflow of charcoal for export, however it is believed that Dr. Mohamoud Sa’eed Gacamey who is the current minister for the ministry of environment was the mastermind behind the efforts of stopping the illegal charcoal exportation.

The communities of eastern Sanag to understand the value of the environment and their resources as well as the consequences of their loss in terms of biodiversity and environmental degradation and to stop environmental depletions, the local residents immediately took bitter fight and struggle against environmental spoilers and they were able to terminate the irresponsible exploitation activities by the powerful groups and individuals mainly from Punt land areas. The communities of eastern Sanag have won to safe their environments with no assistance from donors and the government of Somaliland.

Natural resources

The region has a range of known mineral resources such as coal, gypsum, limestone, marble, salt and various gemstones, as -well as precious and base metals such as gold, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc that needs further investigation since they present prospects for income and employment generation. Even oil production is said to be a realistic possibility based on oil finds in Yemen on lands with similar geological structures as in Sanaag region. Another potential opportunity for the use of the marine resources is tourism and during the former Somali central government, the Rabshi Mountain near Mait harbor and Zenakhad islands were places of interests. The region of Sanag is suitable for tourisms. Daalo forest has been a favorite vacation area for a large number of tourists from different parts of the world. Visitation to the resorts nearly ceased in the early 1988 with the outbreak of armed conflict but this time with the return of stability, the region again has the potential of becoming a tourist destination.

Agriculture

Agriculture is an important feature of economy for Sanaag region particularly Erigavo district. The stream irrigated farms along the escarpment of Hareed, Gaa’ir, Hirhir, Shumuh-Shumuh and Midhishe in the north east as well as Afaaf valley provides significant crops including fruits and vegetables to the community of Erigavo. Farming in Sanag areas is primarily for subsistence and marketing crops is largely local because of poor infrastructure. The fertile soil in most of parts of the region al lows to be grown almost any crop, although less percentage of the arable land is farmed, the region always played a major role in crop production. The district of Erigavo owns 3500 irrigation farms according to baseline survey conducted by German Agro Action in 2007. The agricultural sector provides employment opportunities for many people.

Fishing

The region has a long coastline extending 500km with one natural harbor in Mait town and plenty of valuable marine resources but the fishery resources of the r egion have been indiscriminately exploited by foreign vessels using a variety of methods. In retrospect, fish has not been a major staple food in Sanag region because there was a relative abundance of livestock as a source of protein. However, since the livestock sector is at risk due to drought threats, the fishing sector can be the only alternate livelihood for the community.

The government must have been failed to enforce or establish the law against for the exploitation of resources to protect the fish stocks in the 12 nautical miles. The government should abolish the operation of these foreign vessels to safe the marine resources in our territorial water and has to encourage the local fishing industry that will offer big opportunity for exploitation of fishery resources of our coastal area and local artisan fishing programs.

The amount of fish production in the region is estimated to be thousands of tons annually but no one knows the present level of productio n. The total amount of fish and sharks harvested by foreign boats is not recorded and this is a big misfortunate. Therefore it is very important for the dispersed and disorganized fisher men to come together to form one or two strong fishery co -operatives to replace the position of foreign exploitation and to benefit the economic assistance of the government and from other sources.

There is no accurate data of the Quantity and the Value of fish catch per year by the foreign vessels in Sanag region.

Infrastructure

Sanag region is mainly under-developed, characterized by poor infrastructure and limited service levels. The region includes one of the most neglected and least developed areas in Somaliland.

Underdevelopment is notable everywhere in the region due to the absence of investments in the economic infrastructure. Poor existence of market infrastructures which have hindered the region’s economic development is also apparent in all the districts of the region. Telecommunication infrastructures were established in the region and particularly in rural areas; the telephone service meant an end to the isolation and loneliness experienced by many families in the remote areas. The telephone company of SOMTEL is the only one that provides basic services at low cost rates to the community of the region. The residents of Sanag refer to the setback of the region due to inaccessibility and the poor condition of roads particularly the main road connecting Togdheer and Sanag. The political parties of Somaliland pledged to construct the long road between Burao and Erigavo during the electoral campaigns but it has become only a motto for the political parties of Somaliland to cross the bridge of the election.

Health

There are only two referral hospitals in Sanag region, the primary one is the Erigavo regional hospital and the other one is situated in Badhan but not yet fully functioned. One small building in Elafweyn district is considered also to be a hospital and recently one small hospital was built in Garadag district.

The MCH in Dhahar which is somehow larger than MCH is often used as the district hospital but UNICEF and the government of Somaliland has been regarding it as a MCH rather than hospital and after all there is no formal referral system with in all these health facilities. MSF organization has been a major supporter to Erigavo regional hospital and provided emergency assistance to the community of the region but this organization left three months ago and as consequences 120 persons lost their jobs when the agency has gone

Public Health:

Infectious diseases are the most significant threat to Sanag public health as the region includes the areas where problems of sanitation and limited medical resources persist however the regional public health officers and their staff achieved to curb the spread of infectious diseases through immunization especially diseases affecting mothers and children. The public health department of the region in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and other health organizations provide routine medical care to rural and isolated communities in the region.

Mothers & Child Health Facilities (MCHs)

There are twelve MCHs in the region although three of them including Yufle, Gudmo and Maydh are not recognized by UNICEF. These three MCHs were built by IMC organization while the UNICEF was previously regarding these areas to be as Health posts rather than MHCs. The rest nine MCHs obtain renewable and supply kits from UNICEF, Muslim Aid and SRCS.

Health Posts (HP)

There are 30 Health posts in the region but their staff are lacking the supervision, monitoring and training and these problems has led the health workers in these areas to decline the provision of the health services needed. The health posts also never perform any referrals.

CHWs &TBAs

There is a weakness about the responsibilities of CHWs and TBAs caused by lack of incentives. The ministry of health justified that government has no the funds for that low level and they don’t get any payments also from the relevant local communities. The CHWs and TBAs amid in such circumstance have been subject to trade drugs illegally and poor performance.

HUMANITARIAN AND SECURITY SITUATIONS

The security situation in the region is very stable which is much different from what have been reported. The region is geographically isolated with little information due to absence of media channels and this matter resulted that only negative issues of the region were released. There are no international NGOs based in the region and MSF Holland which has been a major supporter to regional hospital left three months ago and as consequences 120 persons lost their jobs when the agency has gone.

The matters in relation with the security situation of the region has led the international community to respond to the political conflict and complex situation by instituting a ‘non-engagement' policy, leaving the people in the region without access to assistance and support in their efforts to secure sustainable livelihoods. The UN and NGO assistance in "Somaliland" is focused upon the western regions of Borama, Burao, Berbera, Hargeisa and Gabilay and Sool region even receives a fair share but only Sanag is largely neglected.

The absence of humanitarian intervention has led to the region to become destitution and absolute poverty. The poverty caused depopulation to the urban and major towns of the region as considerable portions of the community traveled to the neighboring regions seeking a better life and education for their children.

The most serious social problem in Sanag region is the high rate of unemployment that caused the migration of thousands of youngsters and the able age who gambled their life by crossing the great North Africa desert and Mediterranean Sea to enter the European world in response to the prevailing adverse conditions and other social causes.

If the prevailing economic situation and this extensive unemployment in the region persist, it is possible that some awful challenges will affect the general security and instability of the region. The youth generations are likely to be changed by Alshabab influences. The youngsters are more susceptible to become followers of terrorist groups for economic and psychological reasons.

The terrorist groups like the recent defeated Alshabab group can take refuge in the strategic mountain formation and they have already established military camps in the mountainous areas of Galgala adjacent to the region. The terrorist group is believed to operate secretly and often hide in remote areas like Sanag region though for traditional matters and the strong social structure would be a great obstacle for any radical groups to have roots in the region easily.

Public administration

The region of Sanag was led on the road to demolition by the diffirent Somaliland regimes in every aspect. One of the worst legacies that UDUB left and still persisting in the region include the public administration sector where some of the regional government organizations have been wrongly placed with illiterate people who are unfit for the job.

The placement of incompetent individuals for public agencies has no definite cause but it may be associated with the pressure and recommendation of traditional men or other eminent individuals from the region who exerted the government of Riyale to consider this misleading option and the government accepted the bid from this small section of the community believing to win the public support. However that false impression has not brought any victory to the government led by Riyale.

The ministries of social affairs, Finance, National Planning and Education at regional level are the only four well-run organizations with competent officers although some of these governmental agencies lack of adequate staff.

The nomination of such unqualified coordinators for the public organizations in Sanag region has generated poor and weaker institutional responsibilities, however when the ruling party of Kulmiye came to power, it was expected that new born government will take a different path and most of the local communities have been awaiting how the new government will use its politics towards the neglected areas including Sanag region but a lot of people now realized this has become only a dream.

The power sharing system of the government will never comply with the concept of the right person for the right position. However despite the fact that social structure of Somaliland is traditionally clan based but the system really disregards the skilled people as well as women and minorities.

The Current Sanag regional governor Mr. Adan Diiriye Egal (Geeljireh) is trying to change something but he has no team work and most of his time is devoted in resolving security issues. It is a great disgrace that even private sectors and some International NGOs provide employment opportunities based on this clannish or nepotism system.

I hope the government of Somaliland led by H.E Ahmed Silanyo has not taken artificial promise to the people who supported and the community of the region at large but it is still a wonder why the government is watching the appalling situation prevailing in the region like that. The government has made positive intervention to all the other regions of Somaliland with the exception of Sanag region. We don’t know what is wrong with the government and particular for Sanag! Perhaps the government would like to do something for the region but do not have the time or energy to do it.

Acknowledgement:

I would like to thank anyone who assisted me to draw up this report including Doctor Mohamoud Ismail Issa who contributed information on the health sector and Ismail Jalafle who is in charge of SCORE organization and Prof. Bashir Mire Jama (CCBRS coordinator for Sanag region) now SHIFAT health project coordinator and the journalist groups Yusuf ABdi Hassan, Mohamud Mohamed Saraaf and Abdulahi Hussein Darwiish for their support in drafting report.

Table of Contents

1. History of the region

2. Physical features and Climate

3. Environmental Issues ( vegetation and wild life)

4. Agriculture

5. Social and Economic Infrastructure (Health, Education and Transportation)

6. Natural resources and Tourism

7. Peace & Security and political situations

8. Human rights and Humanitarian situations

Prepared by Abdulkadir Ahmed Hassan Sanaag Media Group Daahfurka Xaqiiqada Sanaag

Contact: +2524783043 email:maxamedkhadar22@hotmail.com

NB. This is report is not complete

Daahfurka Xaqiiqada Sanaag iyo qalinkii: Cabdiqaadir