
Location of Awdal in Somaliland/Somalia
'Awdal' (
Somali: ''Awdal''; '') is an administrative region in
Somalia. Its capital is
Borame. It is bordered by
Ethiopia,
Djibouti, the Somaliland region of
Woqooyi Galbeed and the
Gulf of Aden. Awdal is one of the six regions of the self-proclaimed de facto
Republic of Somaliland (former
British Somaliland). Awdal (also spelled Adal or Adel) takes its name from of the ancient empire the
Adal Sultanate whose power rose in the 16th Century.
Awdal region is relatively affluent, contrasting the perception of the
Horn of Africa as being war-torn and famine-stricken. The chaos of the
Somali Civil War and its aftermath has not ravaged this area quite so much as the rest of the country. For example, the residents of Awdal enjoy the region's most advanced telecommunications network, with fairly reliable cell phone service and internet access. Additionally, agriculture, mining and industry in the area are all profitable enough to allow a comfortable standard of living for the majority of residents, by Sub-Saharan standards. Awdal is also the home of
Amoud University.
A modern separatist movement, known as the Awdal Republic
[1], sought independence in 1995 when Somalia began to dissolve after the downfall of
Mohamed Siad Barre. A Dir-clan dominated movement in Awdal province threatens to push for independence if the
Republic of Somaliland is officially recognized.
[2]
Awdal region consists of four districts:
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Baki
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Borama
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Lughaya
★
Saylac
References
1. Awdal "Republic": Declaration of Independence, [Somalia]
2. Somaliland: The Myth of Clan-Based Statehood