SUMMARY

Mohamed Muse is a sub-clan of the Abgal clan of the Hawiye clan family. 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.

Traditional leaders called Ugas are responsible for governing the clan. These leaders often have strong political powers and are responsible for maintaining good relations with neighbouring clans. However, like many other clans in Somalia, Mohamed Muse has constructed its own clan militia and engaged in a non-state conflict with a rivalling clan.

More specifically, the Mohamed Muse clan mainly resides in Middle Shabelle, an area which the clan is attempting to seize control over, including Middle Shabelle’s capital Jowohar. The clan is having problems with other Abgal subclans. The leader of Mohamed Muse sub-clan is Ahmed Sheikh Hassan and Abdi Ibrahim Mohammed is the military commander.

The Mohamed Muse sub-clan of Abgal (Hawiye) has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.