SUMMARY
The Agon-Yar sub-clan of the Abgal clan is a third tier of the Hawiye clan of Somalia. The Hawiye is one of Somalia’s largest clan families representing an estimated 25% of the country’s total population. Members of the clan family mainly reside in central and southern parts of Somalia (Mudug and the Benadir regions), but large numbers can also be found in neighboring countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. The Hawiye played a major role in the ousting of former president Siad Barre, as the main rebel group that eventually succeeded in overthrowing him, USC (United Somali Congress), was primarily based among this clan. The Hawiye clan is relatively powerful in economic terms due to a large community in Mogadishu. The rural based Hawiye are commonly also involved in lucrative trade, but are also pastoralist. Many of the clans and sub-clans of the Hawiye clan family have remained influential in Somalia.
The Hawiye clan is divided into several sub-clans, such as the Abgal clan. The Abgal clan is subsequently divided into even smaller sub-clans, such as the Agon-Yar. This sub-clan, like many others in Somalia, has constructed its own militia and engaged in non-state conflicts with rivalling non-state actors in the chaotic environment that followed on Siad Barre’s fall from power in 1991. The prevailing context of political rivalries in Somalia is mainly based on identification along clan lines.
The Agon-Yar sub-clan is most prevalent in terms of numbers and influence in Mogadishu and in the Middle Shabelle region of southern Somalia. Like most Hawiye sub-clans those Agon-Yar that are rural-based are pastoralist. The Agon-Yar however has a heavy presence in Mogadishu, and those living there are employed in the urban work sector. After the creation of the Transitional Government in the early 2000s the Agon-Yar sub-clan has had vested interests in this institution, with some of its members being of the clan’s lineage.
The Agon-Yar sub-clan of the Abgal clan has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
