Administrative divisions of Somalia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As Somalia is officially a federal republic, the country is divided into seven federal member states,[1] 18 administrative regions (gobollo, singular gobol),[2] and 72 districts. (plural degmooyin; singular degmo)

Overview

The Federal Parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of autonomous regional states within the Federal Republic of Somalia.[3][4] To this end, the legislature in December 2014 passed a law establishing the Boundary and Federalization Commission.[5] The body is mandated with determining the boundaries of the country's constituent states, as well as arbitrating between these states.[6]

History

In November 2014, the South West State of Somalia was established.[7] Hirshabelle State was formed in October 2016.[8] Khatumo State in the north central region was recognized in 2023 and superseded by North Eastern State of Somalia in 2025.

Federal member states

Map of Somalia's states and regions

Somalia is officially divided into seven federal member states. Somalia considers Somaliland (who unilaterally proclaimed independence in 1991 and remains claimed but uncontrolled[9][8][1]) to still be a part of the country as a federal member state.

Regional administrations

Banaadir (also called the Banaadir Regional Administration, or BRA) covers the area of the capital city Mogadishu, and does not belong to any federal member states.

Regions and districts

The president of Somalia, Mohamed Siad Barre who established the regions of Middle Juba, Lower Juba, Gedo, Bay, and Bakool[10] between 1974-1975 due to biases towards clans, Banaadir shrank to only consist of Mogadishu.[11]

More information Region, Capital city ...
Region Capital city Population
(2025 estimate)[12]		 Location Districts
Awdal Region Borama 655,894 Northwestern
Bakool Region Hudur 560,267 Southern
Banaadir Region[b] Mogadishu 3,262,129 Central
Bari Region Bosaso 1,270,552 Northeastern
Bay Region Baidoa 1,286,787 Southern
Galguduud Region Dhusamareb 837,916 Central
Gedo Region Garbahaarreey 1,005,924 Southern
Hiiraan Region Beledweyn 520,517 Central
Lower Juba Region Kismayo 1,194,276 Southern
Lower Shabelle Region Merca 1,642,667 Central
Middle Juba Region Bu'ale 443,507 Southern
Middle Shabelle Region Jowhar 1,044,872 Central
Mudug Region Galkayo 1,516,035 Southern
Nugaal Region Garowe 651,464 North Eastern
Sanaag Region Erigavo 442,034 Northern
Sool Region Las Anod 566,053 Northern
Togdheer Region Burao 887,450 Northern
Woqooyi Galbeed Region Hargeisa 1,492,506 Northwestern
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Former divisions

Pre-independence

In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.[13]

  • Alto Giuba
  • Alto Uebi-Scebeli
  • Basso Giuba
  • Basso Uebi-Scebeli
  • Migiurtinia
  • Mogadiscio
  • Mudugh

Following the 1935–36 Second Italo-Abyssinian War, Italian Somaliland became part of Italian East Africa with Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Eritrea. Italian Somaliland was one of six governorates of the new colony, the Somalia Governorate, and incorporated Somali-inhabited parts of the former Abyssinia. The governorate was subdivided into 10 commissariats, which were themselves divided into residencies.

Following World War II, the Italian-administered Trust Territory of Somalia consisted of six Regions.[13]

  • Alto Giuba
  • Basso Giuba
  • Benadir
  • Hiiraan
  • Migiurtinia
  • Mudugh

The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of two Regions.[13]

  • Burao
  • Hargeisa

Somalia

The 8 provinces of Somalia in 1967

Upon independence in 1960, the Somali Republic maintained the 12 districts of the former Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland that merged to form the new country.[13] In 1964, a new Northeastern (Burao) Province was established by merging Burao, Erigavo, and Las Anod and a Northwestern (Hargeisa) Province was formed from Berbera, Borama, and Hargeisa districts.[13] In 1968, the capital of Basso Giuba was moved from Kismayo to Jamame. The 8 provinces at this time were:[13]

More information Province, Area(km2) ...
Province Area(km2) Capital
Benadir 45,004 Mogadishu
Burao 128,000 Burao
Hargeisa 48,000 Hargeisa
Hiran 25,647 Beled Weyne
Lower Juba 49,917 Jamame
Bosaso 90,744 Bosaso (Bender Cassim)
Mudug 118,737 Galkayo
Upper Juba 131,492 Baidoa
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In 1982, Somalia reorganized from eight provinces into 16 regions.[13] In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.[13]

After the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia was instillated, some divisions of Somalia tried to be either a state or region. These said divisions were as follows:

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Somalia claims Somaliland as a de jure Federal Member State, but is de facto independent
  2. [b]
    Banaadir is a regional administration and not a state due to hosting Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia

References

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