Capital
and largest city Las Anod Demonym Khatumite Calling code +252 (Somalia) Population 1 million (2014) | Official languages Somali
Arabic Time zone EAT (UTC+3) Founded 2012 Currency Somali shilling | |
 | ||
Government Autonomous presidential democracy | ||
Khatumo State (Somali: Khaatumo, Arabic: ولاية خاتمة), officially the Khatumo State of Somalia (Somali: Dowlad Goboleedka Khaatumo ee Soomaaliya), is an unrecognized region in northern Somalia. Centered on the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn or SSC provinces, its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 2012. Khatumo State is primarily inhabited by the Somali clan of Dhulbahante.
Contents
- Map of Khatumo State Somalia
- Overview
- Demographics
- Government
- President
- Vice President
- Councils
- Ministers
- Other
- Military
- Economy
- Transportation
- References
Map of Khatumo State, Somalia
Overview
Historically, the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) regions of Somalia served as the seats of both the Warsangeli Sultanate and the Dervish State.
Control of the territory is disputed between Khatumo State (formerly HBM-SSC or Hoggaanka Badbaadada iyo Mideynta SSC) and the autonomous Puntland and Somaliland regions of Somalia.
According to the Northern Somali Unionist Movement (NSUM), Khatumo State's precursor, NSUM stands for the promotion of peace, reconciliation and unity among all people from Somalia. The organization does not recognize the self-declared independence of Somaliland. It also opposes the 2007 occupation of the Sool province by Somaliland troops. In 2010, NSUM militants were involved in clashes between themselves and Somaliland militia near Widhwidh, in the Cayn region of Somalia.
In 2012, the Khatumo State administration was finalized after a series of domestic and overseas conferences beginning in 2007 between prominent political figures, traditional leaders and local residents. The territory's capital was initially at Taleh. Since August 2014, Las Anod serves as Khatumo State's declared administrative center.
Khatumo is derived from an Arabic term meaning a "positive conclusion." The administration's stated aim is to bring development and stability to the region through the establishment of a locally based government.
Demographics
Most residents belong to the Somali ethnic group, with the Dhulbahante sub-clan of the Harti Darod especially well represented. Other clans with a presence in the region include the Faqashini-Ayr, Abdirahman Harti (Kaskiqabe) and Gabooye.
Government
The Khatumo State governmental authority is structured somewhat differently from Somalia's other autonomous regional administrations. At its establishment, it had three presidents, four councils and various ministerial positions. In August 2014, Member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia and former Prime Minister of Somalia Ali Khalif Galaydh was elected President of Khatumo State. He defeated former co-president Mohamed Yusuf Jama (Indhosheel) by 21 votes to 9. Assembly members, who had been appointed by traditional leaders, also selected Abdul Sulub as Vice President.
President
Vice President
Councils
As of April 2012, the executive branch of the Khatumo State administration included:
Ministers
Other
Military
Khatumo maintains its own security forces. Exclusively financed by the state administration, they are tasked with assuring local security and defending the region's borders. According to Khatumo President Abdinuur Elmi Qaaji, the forces are well trained and armed. Khatumo troops have been deployed in defence operations against invading Somaliland troops in Buhoodle and other disputed towns within SSC territory. As of 2012, Khatumo forces are led by Abdirisak Fanah, with Omar Jama Saleiman serving as official spokesman.
Economy
Livestock is the backbone of the Khatumo State's economy. Camel, cattle, goats and sheep are exported from the region and other parts of northern Somalia to neighboring Gulf Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia. In rural areas, some farming is also practiced.
Khatumo State's social and economic infrastructure is in the gradual process of rehabilitation after a prolonged period of conflict. Remittances sent by Somali expatriates to relatives in the region contribute significantly to the local economy. Through the construction of a new air transportation facility, Khatumo officials have sought to encourage the repatriation of SSC residents. The returnees would in turn be accommodated in newly built hotels, restaurants and other businesses, which would serve to create additional employment opportunities.
Transportation
Air transportation in Khatumo State is served by the Taleh Airport (Taleex Airport). The facility is named in honor of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, leader of the Dervish State. Air travel to Taleh Airport was planned and organized by Khatumo officials. On 4 December 2012, the airport hosted its inaugural flight from Mogadishu, the national capital.
Additionally, the Ismail Mire International Airport began providing flights to and from Buuhoodle in April 2014.