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Garowe (, ,الاتحاد الأفريقي يرحب بالاتفاق الذي تم التوصل إليه في مؤتمر غاروي الثاني حول دستور الصومال

English translation
) is the capital city of
Puntland Puntland is an autonomous state that considers itself to be part of Somalia, despite not accepting the legitimacy of Somalia's current governing administration. It was formed in 1998, and was a federal member state of Somalia from its fou ...
located in northeastern
Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...
. It serves as the administrative center of the Nugal region and is known for its strategic importance. The city has experienced growth and development, hosting
government institutions An institution is a humanly devised structure of rules and norms that shape and constrain social behavior. All definitions of institutions generally entail that there is a level of persistence and continuity. Laws, rules, social conventions and ...
and providing essential services to its residents. Garowe is situated in a territory with a
semi-arid climate A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of se ...
, and its economy is influenced by
trade Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market. Traders generally negotiate through a medium of cr ...
,
livestock Livestock are the Domestication, domesticated animals that are raised in an Agriculture, agricultural setting to provide labour and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, Egg as food, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The t ...
, and
agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
.


Overview

Garowe is situated in the Nugaal Valley, bounded by gradually ascending high plateaus that generally reach elevations of above sea level on the north, west, and south. The western part of the same plateau is crossed by numerous valleys and dry watercourses. Raising livestock forms the basis of the economy, and frankincense and myrrh are collected from the wild trees.


History

During the 19th century, Garowe and much of northeastern Somalia were an integral part of the
Majeerteen Sultanate The Majeerteen Sultanate (, ), or Majerteen Kingdom also known as Majeerteenia and/or Migiurtinia, was a Somali kingdom centered in the Horn of Africa. Ruled by Boqor Osman Mahamuud during its golden age, the sultanate controlled the areas co ...
, ruled by Boqor Osman Mahamud, and
Sultan Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...
Yusuf Ali Kenadid Yusuf Ali Kenadid (; 1837 – 14 August 1911) was a Somali Sultan and the founder of the Sultanate of Hobyo. He was succeeded to the throne by his son Ali Yusuf Kenadid. Family Yusuf Ali Kenadid was born into the Bah Yaaqub (part of the large ...
of the
Sultanate of Hobyo The Sultanate of Hobyo (, ), also known as the Sultanate of Obbia,''New International Encyclopedia'', Volume 21, (Dodd, Mead: 1916), p.283. was a 19th-century Somali Sultanate in present-day northeastern and central Somalia and eastern Ethiopia ...
. The city would later be incorporated into
Italian Somaliland Italian Somaliland (; ; ) was a protectorate and later colony of the Kingdom of Italy in present-day Somalia, which was ruled in the 19th century by the Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate in the north, and by the Hiraab Imamate and ...
during the colonial period. Following independence, Garowe was made a district center of
Nugaal The Nugaal () is an intermittent river Intermittent, temporary or seasonal rivers or streams cease to flow every year or at least twice every five years. Such rivers drain large arid and semi-arid areas, covering approximately a third of ...
. The city would subsequently be reassigned in the early 1970s as the regional capital of an area consisting of
Las Anod Las Anod (; ) is the administrative capital of the Sool region, currently controlled by Khatumo State forces aligned with Somalia. Territorial dispute The city is disputed by Puntland and Somaliland. The former bases its claim due to the kins ...
and Eyl. Straddling the Nugal Valley, this new administrative division would be named Nugal.''Africa research bulletin: Political, social, and cultural series'', Volumes 10-11, Africa Research Ltd: 1973), p.2721. Following the outbreak of the
civil war A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...
in 1991, a homegrown constitutional conference was held in Garowe in 1998 over a period of three months. Attended by the area's political elite, traditional elders (''Issims''), members of the business community, intellectuals and other civil society representatives, the autonomous Puntland State of Somalia was subsequently officially established so as to deliver services to the population, offer security, facilitate trade, and interact with both domestic and international partners.Somalia: Puntland's Experience in Peace-building and State-building
/ref>


Geography


Location

Garowe is situated in northeastern Somalia, in the heart of the Puntland region. Nearby settlements include to the east Gillab (4.8 nm), to the northeast Qalqalooc (15.3 nm), to the north Libaax Seexay (2.5 nm), to the northwest Geida Debabo (12.2), to the west Bixin (5.9 nm), to the southwest Lugo (6.0 nm), to the south Salaxley (5.3 nm), and to the southeast War Weytan (9.7 nm). The largest cities most proximate to Garowe are
Qardho Qardho (, ), also known as Gardo, is a city in the northeastern Bari region of Somalia, a district within the autonomous state of Puntland. History Until Somalia's Independence Qardho is one of a series of ancient settlements in northern Somalia. ...
(205 km), Galkayo (216 km) and Erigavo (275 km).


Climate

Garowe has a
hot desert climate The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk'') is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...
(
Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
''BWh''). As such, the weather is generally hot, sunny and dry. Coldest average temperatures occur during the months of November to February, when thermometer readings range from . The weather slowly heats up in the spring, as the April rainy season begins. Average temperatures later reach a maximum of around over the summer period. Come September, a gradual moderation starts to set in again. Annual rainfall is low, averaging . The sky is usually clear and bright throughout the year.


Administration

Garowe is the third largest city in Puntland after Bosaso and Galkayo. Situated in the Nugal province in the geographical center of the region, it is the seat of the regional
parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
, the presidential palace and government ministries’ headquarters. Garowe's municipal government is currently led b
Ahmed Said Musse (Ahmedbarre)
He was elected by city councilors on August 29, 2018 On November 19, 2012, a ceremony was held in one of Garowe's government districts to mark the opening of the new local Corrections Academy and Headquarters. The event was inaugurated by former Puntland President
Abdirahman Mohamud Farole Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamoud Farole (; ; born 1945) is a Somali politician. He served for many years in the government, acting as a governor of the Nugal region of Somalia in the 1990s and later as the Minister of Finance of the autonomous Pun ...
and Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire, along with a UNODC delegation. A multi-tiered security complex, the compound features classrooms, staff quarters and offices. A new bureau for the Puntland Ministry of Justice and Rehabilitation was also opened. Additionally, the officials laid down the foundation for a new prison facility that is being constructed in the city. They later did the same in January 2013 for a new Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports office. The area also features the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health buildings, as well as the Puntland State House. A new presidential palace was likewise opened on April 16, 2013. On 8 January 2014, the Puntland presidential elections were held in the city, with former Prime Minister of Somalia
Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Abdiweli Mohamed Ali GaasBriefi ...
voted into office. In February 2015, the Garowe Municipality also launched a new house numbering system in the administrative capital. The initiative saw unique numerical digits assigned to each residential and commercial street address, as well as to land plots. Additionally, the Garowe Municipality launched a citywide cleaning campaign in March 2015. The government-public partnership is aimed at beautifying and sanitizing the Horsed suburb and other areas in the Puntland regional state's administrative capital. Among other activities, the campaign saw residents construct
gabion A gabion (from Italian ''gabbione'' meaning "big cage"; from Italian ''gabbia'' and Latin ''cavea'' meaning "cage") is a cage, cylinder or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil for use in civil engineering, road building ...
s and fill gullies in some areas of the city.


Demographics

The broader Garowe District has an estimated total population of 190,000 residents. The city of Garowe is inhabited by
Somalis The Somali people (, Wadaad's writing, Wadaad: , Arabic: ) are a Cushitic peoples, Cushitic ethnic group and nation native to the Somali Peninsula. who share a common ancestry, culture and history. The Lowland East Cushitic languages, East ...
from the
Darod The Darod (, ) is a Somali clan. The forefather of this clan is Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darod. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands adjacent ...
clan, especially, the Majerteen, Leelkase, Dhulbahante, Mehri and
Awrtable The Awrtable (Somali language, Somali: ''Awrtable'', Arabic: '':ar:أورتبلي, أورتبلي''; also spelled ''Ortable'', ''Aurtable'' or ''Owrtable'') is a Somalis, Prominent Somali sub-clan from the Darod clan. Background The Awrtab ...
with a population of Madhibaan living in the city as well. The city also hosts huge number of internally dispalced persons (IDPs).


Education

Garowe has a number of academic institutions and facilities. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 30 primary schools in the Garowe District. Among these are Al Xikma, Mayle, Wabari and Darwiish, named after Diiriye Guure's
Dervish State The Dervish Movement () was an armed resistance movement between 1899 and 1920, which was led by the Salihiyya Sufi Muslim poet and militant leader Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, also known as Sayyid Mohamed, who called for independence from the Bri ...
. Secondary schools in the area include Alwaha, Gambol, Nawawi and Nugal High.
Puntland State University Puntland State University is a public university in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia. History The school traces its roots back to the Garowe School of Management, a women's school in Garowe offering courses in accounting, computer skills, business Engli ...
's main campus is also located here. The school grew out of the Garowe School of Management, a women's college in Garowe offering courses in business management, accounting, computer skills and business English. Following the graduation of 60 pupils in its inaugural year, the school was expanded to observe a two-year structure and renamed the Puntland Community College (PCC). In 2004, the PCC again expanded its syllabus, this time offering four-year programs; it was also renamed to Puntland State University (PSU). Other institutions of higher learning in the city include the Garowe Teachers Education College (GTEC), a primary teachers' training center that caters to the larger region.
East Africa University East Africa University (EAU) () is a non-for-profit institution university in the autonomous Puntland state in northeastern Somalia, as well as in neighbouring Somaliland. Founded in the commercial capital of Bosaso, it has additional branches i ...
(EAU) also has a Garowe branch, one of its seven campuses in Puntland.


Services

A number of NGOs also have their main offices in the city, including the local Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC). The PDRC plays a key role in research and funding for the development of peace and effective governance initiatives in Puntland. Additionally, the Puntland Agency For Social Welfare (PASWE) is headquartered here. Founded in May 2009 by the regional administration, it provides medical, educational and counseling support to vulnerable groups and individuals such as orphans, the disabled and the blind. PASWE is overseen by a board of directors, which consists of religious scholars (''
ulema In Islam, the ''ulama'' ( ; also spelled ''ulema''; ; singular ; feminine singular , plural ) are scholars of Islamic doctrine and law. They are considered the guardians, transmitters, and interpreters of religious knowledge in Islam. "Ulama ...
''), businesspeople, intellectuals and traditional elders. Garowe is served by one major medical institution, Garowe Regional Hospital, in addition to numerous smaller health clinics. In 2008, the foundations were laid for the construction of a new general hospital, built with assistance from the Somali Manhal agency. Additionally, in conjunction with the Italian government, the Puntland authorities opened another hospital in the city. In 2009, a local non-profit organization also established the region's first mental health facility. In June 2014, the Puntland government launched a new tree-planting campaign in the state, with the regional Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism slated to plant 25,000 trees by the end of the year. Garowe is among the seven cities and towns earmarked for the
reforestation Reforestation is the practice of restoring previously existing forests and woodlands that have been destroyed or damaged. The prior forest destruction might have happened through deforestation, clearcutting or wildfires. Three important purpose ...
initiative, which also include Bosaso, Dhahar,
Qardho Qardho (, ), also known as Gardo, is a city in the northeastern Bari region of Somalia, a district within the autonomous state of Puntland. History Until Somalia's Independence Qardho is one of a series of ancient settlements in northern Somalia. ...
,
Buuhoodle Buuhoodle (, ), also known as Bohotle, serves as a significant border town for the movement of goods between Khatumo State, Khaatumo and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The surrounding district is rich in livestock with growing agricultural activ ...
, Baran and Galkayo. The campaign is part of a broader partnership between the Puntland authorities and EU to set up various environmental protection measures in the region, with the aim of promoting reforestation and afforestation. In April 2015, the Takaful Insurance Company officially launched a new office in Garowe. The firm provides Sharia compliant insurance for real estate properties and vehicles.


Economy

In April 2013, the Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources officially inaugurated a new fish market in Garowe. Constructed in conjunction with the UK authorities and the UNDP, it is part of a larger regional development plan which will see two other similar marketplaces launched within the year in Galkayo and
Qardho Qardho (, ), also known as Gardo, is a city in the northeastern Bari region of Somalia, a district within the autonomous state of Puntland. History Until Somalia's Independence Qardho is one of a series of ancient settlements in northern Somalia. ...
. In March 2014, the Puntland Chamber of Commerce oversaw a launching event in Garowe for the construction of a new Iftin Bank. The function was attended by Somali business community officials and tycoons, whom the Chamber of Commerce Chairman Saed Hussein Eid encouraged to invest within the region. Highlighting Puntland's commercial potential, its natural resources and large reserves, the regional Minister of Commerce also expressed support for entrepreneurs with investments earmarked for the petroleum, livestock and agriculture sectors. In October 2014, the firm Tawakal Money Express (Tawakal) also began construction of the four-storey Tawakal Plaza Garowe. The new high rise is slated to be completed by the end of 2015 and will feature a Tawakal Global Bank customer and financial services center, office spaces, multi-purpose rooms, and an upscale shopping mall. In March 2015, the Ministry of Labour, Youth and Sports in conjunction with the European Union and World Vision launched the Nugal Empowerment for Better Livelihood Project in the Garowe, Dangorayo, Eyl, Godobjiran and Burtinle districts of Puntland. The three-year initiative is valued at $3 million EUR and is part of the New Deal Compact for Somalia. It aims buttress the regional economic sector through business support, training and non-formal education programs, community awareness workshops, and mentoring and networking drives.


Transportation

Garowe is traversed by a 750 km north–south highway. It connects major cities in the northern part of the country, such as Bosaso and Galkayo, with towns in the south. In 2012, the Puntland Highway Authority (PHA) completed rehabilitation work on the central artery linking Garowe with Galkayo. The transportation body also began an upgrade and repair project in June 2012 on the large Garowe–Bosaso Highway. Additionally, plans are in the works to construct new roads connecting littoral towns in the region to the main thoroughfare. In October 2014, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali laid down the foundation for a new highway connecting the presidential palace in Garowe with various other parts of the administrative capital. Financing for the project was provided by the Puntland government. According to the Head of the Puntland Highway Authority Mohamud Abdinur Adan, the new thoroughfare aims to facilitate local transportation and movement. Puntland Minister of Public Works Mohamed Hersi also indicated that the Puntland authorities plan to build and repair other roads linking to the regional urban centers. In March 2015, Puntland President Ali inaugurated additional newly built, paved roads in Garowe. The streets were constructed by a local company through the JPLG program. Puntland President Ali also inaugurated another new two-kilometer asphalt road in Garowe, a construction project that was implemented by the municipal authorities. According to the Nugal province Governor Abdullahi Aw-Isse, the highway links the city's eastern neighborhoods with the downtown area and aims to buttress the ongoing local infrastructure and commercial development initiatives. It is the eighth bitumen road completed in the town since 2014, with the Garowe municipality aiming to convert to asphalt all of the city's streets. In March 2015, Ali in conjunction with EU Ambassador to Somalia Michele Cervone d’Urso and German Ambassador to Somalia Andreas Peschke also launched the Sustainable Road Maintenance Project. Part of the New Deal Compact for Somalia, the initiative's implementation is facilitated by 17.75 million Euros and 3 million Euros provided by the EU and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), respectively. Among other objectives, the project aims to renovate the highway between Garowe and Galkayo, including funding refurbishments on the damaged segments of the road and construction of check dams and flood control structures. The initiative also involves a routine annual maintenance program, which focuses on side brushing, clearing bridges after floods, drainage and culvert clearance, and pothole filling. Additionally, the project will offer policy support to the Puntland Ministry of Public Works and the Puntland Highway Authority, and local contractors will receive on-the-job training to upgrade their skills. Local air transport needs are served by Garowe International Airport, a major airport situated about 12 km from the city center. It was officially opened in 2010 under the aegis of the Ministry for Civil Aviation and Airports. The first phase of the airport's construction was completed through a public-private partnership over a period of seven years, with the Garowe-based Mubarak construction company having assisted significantly in completing the project. The airport also attempts to adhere to the air transport standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In March 2015, a business meeting was held in
Dubai Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
to evaluate tenders from various firms that are bidding for a contract to build a new airport in Garowe. The construction project was organized by the Puntland aviation and finance ministries, with the Kuwait Fund providing assistance. Four companies were reportedly awarded the contract, with the tender winner(s) scheduled to be officially announced in April of the year.


Mayors

* Abdulkadir Osman Food Adde * Abdiaziz Nur Elmi Koor * Ahmed Said Gelle Shoodhe * Hassan Mohamed Isse Godir * Ahmed Said Muse * Abdulkadir Geedi


Sports

Mire Aware Stadium is sporting facility with a crowd capacity of over 15,000 spectators. In 2010, hosted the Somali National Football Tournament, the first nationwide
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
competition held since 1987 and the ensuing outbreak of the civil war. Organized by the Puntland administration in conjunction with the Somali Football Federation, the tournament also marked the first time that the event was held outside of
Mogadishu Mogadishu, locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port connecting traders across the Indian Ocean for millennia and has ...
.


Media

Various media organizations are based in Garowe. Puntland TV and Radio has offices in the city. Radio Garowe, the sister outlet to Garowe Online, is also centered here. In May 2013, the broadcaster launched an additional FM station in Bosaso. Radio Daljir, Puntland's largest radio station, also has a studio in Garowe, with its main headquarters in Bosaso. The broadcaster's network of 7 FM transmitters reaches most of Puntland as well as part of the neighboring Galmudug region to the south.


Accommodation

Additionally, Garowe has various places of accommodation. Among these hotels and guest houses is the Meka Hotel, situated downtown.


Districts

Garowe is subdivided into several administrative areas: *1da August *Hantiwadaag *Hilaac *Hodan *Horseed *Israac *Waaberi *Wadajir


Sister cities

In November 2014, the Garowe Municipality announced that it was slated to meet with the Gebze Municipality in Turkey in order to finalize a
sister city A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties. While there are early examples of inte ...
agreement between Garowe and
Gebze Gebze (), formerly known as Libyssa, is a municipality and district of Kocaeli Province, Turkey. Its area is 418 km2, and its population is 407,019 (2022). It is situated 65 km (30 mi) southeast of Istanbul, on the Gulf of Izmit, ...
.


Notable residents

* Abdirahman Farole — former President of
Puntland Puntland is an autonomous state that considers itself to be part of Somalia, despite not accepting the legitimacy of Somalia's current governing administration. It was formed in 1998, and was a federal member state of Somalia from its fou ...
(2009-2014) * Sultan Hurre — elected sub-clan sultan * Yusuf Mohamed Ismail — former Somali Ambassador to
Switzerland Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
* Abdi Farah Sa'eed (Juha) — former minister of Interior and Federal Affairs (Somalia) * Abshir Omar Huruse — current minister of Foreign Affairs (Somalia) * Ahmed Isse Awad — former minister of Foreign Affairs (Somalia)


See also

*
Somali Architecture Somali architecture is the engineering and designing of multiple different construction types such as stone cities, castles, citadels, fortresses, mosques, temples, Aqueduct (watercourse), aqueducts, lighthouses, towers and Tomb, tombs during th ...


References


External links


Garowe Online, a news and information siteSpectacular Garowe, a video on YouTube
* *https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14114727.amp#aoh=16241532760337&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s {{Authority control * Populated places in Nugal, Somalia Cities in Somalia Puntland