Middle Shabelle


Middle Shabelle is an administrative region in southern Somalia.

Overview

It is bordered by the Somali regions of Galguduud, Hiran, Lower Shabelle, and Banaadir, as well as the Somali Sea.
As part of the former Benadir region, Middle Shabelle's capital was Mogadishu up until the mid-1980s, when the town of Jowhar became the capital. It is named after the Shebelle River that passes through this region.
Middle Shabelle is principally inhabited by various sub-clans of the Somali Mudulood clan; most notably the Abgaal. Other Mudulood subclans that reside in the region include the Udeejeen, Moobleen and Hiilebi, who live alongside the Galje'l and Hawadle. There are also members of the non-Somali ethnic minority Bantu group.
The region supports livestock production, rain-fed and gravity irrigated agriculture and fisheries, with an annual rainfall between 150 and 500 millimeters covering an area of approximately 60,000 square kilometers. It has a 400 km coastline on the Indian Ocean.

Demographics

The majority clan in the region is the Abgal, but in spite of this majority, the region has suffered from “intense intra-clan conflict that has impoverished the region leading to a regional power struggle that divides the Abgal sub-clans. The two largest sub-clans are the Wa’buudhan and the Harti Abgal. Other clans that live in the region include Galjecel, Jarer, Shiidle, Hawadle, Mubliin, Hilibi and other small tribes of Arab origin.

Districts

Middle Shabelle region consists of seven districts: Jowhar - the regional capital, Balad, Adale, Aden Yabal, Warseikh, Run-Nigrod and Mahaddey. The region supports livestock production, rain-fed and irrigated agriculture and fisheries, with an annual rainfall between 150 and 500 millimeters. Covering an area of approximately 60,000 square kilometres, the region has a 400 kilometre coastline on the Indian Ocean. The Shabelle river runs for 150 kilometres through the region.
Adale District
Adan Yabal District
Balad District
Jowhar District