SUMMARY

The Warsangeli sub-clan of the Abgal clan is a third tier of the Hawiye clan of Somalia. In Somalia there is also a Warsangeli sub-clan of the Darod; this clan and the Hawiye one are not the same. 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 and the Warsangeli. The Warsangeli 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.

Like most Hawiye clan members the rural Warsangeli are pastoralists, and mainly reside in Mogadishu (these members being urbanised) and Middle Shabelle, in southern Somalia. In terms of political links the Warsangeli sub-clan has had affiliations with the SRRC (Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council), which fought the Transitional Government of Somalia in 2001 and 2002. Through this latter affiliation the clan has had substantial influence in the Middle Shabelle region.

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