SUMMARY

The Marehan sub-clan of the Sede clan is one of several subclans of the Darod clan family. The Darod clan is one of Somalias numerically largest clans, making up approximately 25% of Somalias population. The clan is commonly divided into the Kablalah, Sede, Tanade, Isse and Yusuf sub-clans (exact lineages within the Darod are disputed), which in turn have several tiers below, of which the Marehan is one. The Darod reside principally in Somalias north-east (where, since 1998 the autonomous Puntland administration is run by the Majerteen sub-clan), but also have a significant presence in the Mogadishu and the southwest. In addition, the Darod inhabit parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen.

The Marehan is one of the main Darod subclans. In Somalia members of the clan mainly reside in Jubbaland, Gedo and the Lower Jubba in the southwestern part of the country, which is often designated to be the "homeland" of the Marehan. Substantial numbers also live in Galgudud and Mudug in central Somalia. Those Marehan that are not urbanised are commonly pastoralists, and competition for grasing and water has brought the clan into conflict with other pastoralist groups in Somalia.

Like many other clans in Somalia the Marehan has been engaged in the political conflicts that have been ongoing since the late 1980s. The prevailing context of political rivalries in Somalia is mainly based on identification along clan lines. Following former Somali president Siad Barres ousting in 1991 many of the Marehan took part in SNF (Somali National Front), a militia trying to recapture control of the country for Barre. As Siad Barre was also Marehan, many of the members of his SRC (Supreme Revolutionary Council) were also members of Marehan. In the late 1990s the Marehan clan was also involved in the formation of JVA (Jubba Valley Alliance) which tried to establish an autonomous region in the south of Somalia. These organisations have often acted as vehicles for Marehan interests.

The Marehan itself is further divided in a series of subclans, of which the Hawarsame Rer Hasan and Habar Ya’qup is one. The complexity of the Somali clan system limits the amount of information available about this subclan. Indeed, there are several perspectives on the lineage charts namely a northern, a central and a southern one. Furthermore the different subclans often disagree about their origins. Genealogy is often passed to the next generation orally and is not kept in any written form.

The Hawarsame Rer Hasan and Habar Ya’qub subclan of Marehan clan (Darod) has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.