Kismayo

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Kismayo Kismaayo كيسمايو
Overview of Kismayo
Kismayo Location in Somalia
Coordinates: 0°21′37″S 42°32′55″E / 0.36028°S 42.54861°E / -0.36028; 42.54861
Country	Somalia
Region	Jubbada Hoose
District
Population (2007)
- Total	70,000
Time zone	East Africa Time (UTC+3)

Kismayo or Kismayu (Somali: Kismaayo; Arabic: كيسمايو‎, Kīsmāyū; Italian: Chisimaio) is a port city in the Jubbada Hoose region of Somalia, and is the country's third largest city.^[1] It is situated 328 miles (528 km) southwest of Mogadishu, near the mouth of the Jubba River, where that river flows into the Indian Ocean. As of 2008, the population is estimated at 70,000 inhabitants.^[2]

Contents 1 Districts 2 History 2.1 Somali Civil War 2.2 Islamic Courts Union 2.3 War in Somalia 3 Government 3.1 Sharia 4 Climate 5 Economy 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

Districts

The city is divided into five degmo, or districts, namely Farjano, Faanoole, Shaqaalaha, Siinaay and Calanleey. Because the city began with Calenleey, it is the oldest of all five districts. Besides Somalis, the district is home to a diverse group of people, including Indians, Arabs, Bantus, Bravanese, Bajunis, and many other minorities.

Kismayo Airport, which was formerly a Somali Air Force training base, is situated about 10 km from the city. It has a large abandoned and looted Administration building with a badly-maintained 12,000 foot long runway. The airport was re-opened in October 2008, with the restriction that flights delivering khat were prohibited from landing at the airport.^[3] The airport was renamed after Imam Ahmed Gurey, a 16th century Somali warrior.^[4]

Kismayo's large docks are situated on a peninsula on the Indian Ocean coast. Formerly one of the Bajuni Islands, the peninsula was subsequently connected by a narrow causeway when the port was built, with United States assistance, in 1964. The port served as a base for the Somali Navy as well as the Soviet Navy after a military coup in Somalia in 1969.^[5] The United States and Somalia jointly refurbished the port in 1984 after "extensive deterioration of the 2070 ft long four-berth, marginal wharf at the Port of Kismayo necessitated a major rehabilitation to maintain operations."^[6]

Kismayo University, established in August 2005, is located about 1 km north, along the Kismayo-Mogadishu main road.^[7]

History

The city, along with the surrounding region, was part of the Ajuuraan Empire in the medieval period and came under the rule of the Gobroons in 19th century during their struggle with the Zanzibaris and the Ottoman Khedive vassal state of Isma'il Pasha. In the late 19th century Somali merchants from Bandar Qassim equipped with several cannons conquered the city by storm before Sultan Ahmed Yusuf drove them out the city. It was part of Trans-Juba, which belonged to the British, from July 1, 1895, as part of the East Africa Company's East Africa Protectorate. On July 15, 1924, it was ceded to Italy and became part of the Colony of Trans-Juba (Oltre Giuba). In 1926, the area was incorporated into the colony of Italian Somaliland, and became the capital of its Trans-Juba province.^[8]

Somali Civil War

After the former Somali President Siad Barre was overthrown, Kismayo became a city in constant turmoil, fought over by warring clans vying for control of the area. There was prolonged fight for control of the city among various clans. By early 1993, Kismayo was the site of fighting between supporters of Mohammed Said Hersi, known as General Morgan, and supporters of Col. Omar Jess of the Somali Patriotic Movement. In March 1993, a United States Marine amphibious group arrived in the city in an attempt to keep the peace as part of the United Nations intervention in Somalia.

By December 1993, General Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan's troops controlled Kismayo, despite the presence of peacekeepers. The last UN troops left Kismayo in December 1994.^[9] General Hersi Morgan declared Jubaland independent on September 3, 1998.^[10] but was ousted from Kismayo in June 1999.^[11] From June 1999 - June 2001, Kismayo was the headquarters for the Allied Somali Forces, which was contesting the area known as Jubaland with the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM). The ASF renamed itself the Juba Valley Alliance in June 2001. By 2003, there were 15,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) accommodated in Kismayo.

Islamic Courts Union

On January 16, 2006, nine people were killed in heavy fighting, between factions of the Jubba Valley Alliance, for control of Kismayo. On September 24, 2006, Kismayo was invaded by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).^[12]

War in Somalia

Following a great loss of territory to an Ethiopian-TFG army in December 2006, the ICU first retreated to the capital, Mogadishu, but abandoned Mogadishu without conflict on 28 December 2006, moving south towards Kismayo and allowing TFG and Ethiopian troops to take over the capital.^[13] It was feared that the ICU would make a defiant last stand in Kismayo. When the Battle of Jilib began on 31 December 2006, clan elders within Kismayo reportedly demanded that the ICU leave the city. Mohammed Arab, a clan leader said "We told them that they were going to lose, and that our city would get destroyed."^[14] However, a mutiny within the ICU caused their forces to disintegrate, and abandon both Jilib and Kismayo. They were reported to be fleeing towards the Kenyan border.^[15] The Ethiopian troops withdrew from Kismayo in March 2007, leaving it to the Transitional Federal Government.^[16]

As of December 2007, the ICU forces had taken control of about half of the city, around half the districts of Mogadishu, and totalling around 80% of their former territories, leaving the Ethopiean-backed regime in the same precarious situation as it was in Baidoa at the start of 2007.^[17]

In a battle in August 2008, al-Shabaab totally defeated local militia led by Barre Hiraale.^[18] The fighting in Kismayo is reported to have displaced an estimated 35,000 people. After the withdrawal of Hiiraale's fighters, al-Shabaab reportedly commenced a peaceful disarmament process targeting local armed groups that had been contributing to insecurity in Kismayo.^[19] In early September a night-time curfew was imposed.^[20]

In May 2009, the al-Shabaab city government "sent fighters, weapons and vehicles to support opposition groups fighting in Mogadishu"^[21] and stepped up efforts to recruit jihadist soldiers.^[22] Sheikh Abubakar Sayli'i, the Al Shabaab-appointed mayor of Kismayo, explained: "The administration and people of Kismayo are not neutral in the Mogadishu war, because they support the Mujahideen who are against the fake government."

Heavy fighting broke out on 1 October 2009 in Kismayo, shattering the alliance between al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam which had together run the town. Relations between the two groups controlling it have soured in late September. The two factions had agreed to share power in Kismayo, with each governing for six months alternatively. But clan politics reportedly caused the rotation to fail when al-Shabab refused to relinquish the administration.^[23] Garowe Online reports that militiamen associated with warlord Col. Hiraale's helped Al Shabaab fighters in the battle, including providing 10 battlewagons to reinforce the Marehan clan militia.^[24] Sporadic clashes continued on the outskirts of the city, as Hizbul Islam considered its response,^[25] and held talks with al-Shabaab.^[26]

Government

A new district administration was established on 6 September 2008. Its members reportedly represented the ICU and Al-Shabaab (three members each) plus a local clan (one member) which had played a part in the military assault.^[27] Representatives of the Islamic Courts Union have questioned the legitimacy of the authority.^[28] On 1 October 2009, Al Shabaab took full control of the city, after Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, a senior commander of Ras Kamboni Brigade (a part of Hizbul Islam), challenged Al Shabaab's control.^[29]

The government is led by Sheikh Abubakar Al-Zaila’i.^[30] Sheikh Hassan Yakoub Ali is the information officer of the Islamist authority,^[31] and Abdigani Ali Gurhan serves as the health officer.^[32]. Mohamed Sahal Iidle is a judge.^[33]

Sharia

Some al-Shabab leaders have imposed harsh rules in Kismayo, including stoning to death Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, a 13-year-old rape victim, after being accused of adultery,^[34][35] and cutting off the hands of thieves.^[33][36] Abdirahman Ahmed, a prominent politician and former spokesman for the Jubba Valley Alliance, was also executed for his admitted cooperation with the non-Muslim Ethiopian regime, which an Islamist court interpreted to mean that he had changed his religion.^[37][38]

Shortly after coming to power, the authorities imposed strict rules on journalists operating the city.^[39] In December 2008, the local administration shut down Radio HornAfrik, an independent radio station based in Kismayo.^[40] The authorities also destroyed four Muslim shrines that "contained tombs of famous religious people and places of worship."^[31] The graves were of religious personalities honored by the Sufi sect.^[41] In late December, a Roman Catholic church in Kismayo was destroyed by sledge hammers.^[42].

According to refugees who fled Kismayo in the fall of 2008, "There is no freedom for young men there because of the Shabab. Even prayer is not optional. They make you cut your hair, and you can't wear tennis shoes." ^[43] The refugees fled Kismayo after "Shabab began beating people not attending Friday prayers," and aggressively sought recruits from Kismayo's population.^[22]

In January 2009, the local government banned the sale of khat inside the city limits, though traders were permitted to sell khat at a location in the outskirts of Kismayo.^[44] Football fans rioted after the Islamist government turned the football stadium into a market.^[45]

Climate

Kismayo
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0   30 24     0   31 24     0   32 24     19   32 25     74   30 25     66   29 24     40   28 23     9   28 23     2   29 23     7   30 24     6   31 25     2   31 25 average max. and min. temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0   86 75     0   88 75     0   90 75     0.7   90 77     2.9   86 77     2.6   84 75     1.6   82 73     0.4   82 73     0.1   84 73     0.3   86 75     0.2   88 77     0.1   88 77 average max. and min. temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches

The city of Kismayo is located in the fertile Juba Valley, and is known for its clean and beautiful beaches and tropical weather.^[46] The climate is hot year-round, with seasonal monsoon winds and irregular rainfall with recurring droughts. The gu rains, also known as the Southwest Monsoons, begin in April and last until June, producing significant fresh water and allowing lush vegetation to grow. The gu season is followed by the hagaa (xagaa) drought.

Economy

In October 2008, the daily labor rate was estimated at 157,500 Somali shillings ($4.50), up from 52,000 ($2.21) in January 2008, while kilogram of red rice rose from 14,170 ($0.61) to 46,000 ($1.31).^[47] A liter of diesel cost 43,000 shillings ($1.23) and a camel costs over 15 million shillings ($435). Total cereal production around Kismayo is estimated to be 780MT.^[48]

Before the war, "there were a meat-tinning factory, a tannery, and a modern fish factory. There were two sugar refineries, one near Jilib on the lower reach of the Jubba and one at Jawhar (Giohar) on the middle reach of the Shabeelle."^[6]. As of January 2007, the market was bustling, but the "grapefruit farms on the outskirts of town are still a mess, irrigation canals are full of sand, roads are dreadful and government buildings are lonely, shot-up places."^[49]

See also

• Fall of Kismayo

References

External links

• Kismayo web portal
• 1992 Map of Kismayu

Coordinates: 0°21′37″S 42°32′55.6″E / 0.36028°S 42.548778°E / -0.36028; 42.548778