Administrative divisions of Somalia

Overview

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

History

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 Khatumo State in the north central region was recognized in 2023 and superseded by North Eastern State of Somalia in 2025.

Federal member states

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

• Somaliland (de jure)
• North Eastern
• Puntland
• Galmudug
• Hirshabelle
• South West
• Jubaland

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 between 1974-1975 due to biases towards clans, Banaadir shrank to only consist of Mogadishu.

Former divisions

Pre-independence

In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.

• 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.

• Alto Giuba (English: Upper Juba) (capital: Baidoa)
• Alto Scebeli (Upper Shabele) (Bulo Burti)
• Basso Scebeli (Lower Shabele) (Merca)
• Migiurtinia (Migiurtinia) (Dante)
• Mogadiscio (Mogadishu) (Mogadiscio)
• Mudugh (Mudug) (Rocca Littorio)
• Ogaden (Ogaden) (Uarder)
• Uebi Gestro (Gestro River) (Callafo)
• Basso Giuba (Lower Juba) (Chisimaio)
• Nogal (Nugaal) (Eil)

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

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

The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of two Regions.

• Burao
• Hargeisa

Somalia

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. 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. In 1968, the capital of Basso Giuba was moved from Kismayo to Jamame. The 8 provinces at this time were:

In 1982, Somalia reorganized from eight provinces into 16 regions. In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.

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:

• Azania (2011–2013)
• Central Regions State
• Himan and Heeb (2008–2015)
• Maakhir (2007–2009)

Notes

References

References

1. "Federal Member States".
2. (2009-05-14). "Somalia". [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
3. "The Federal Republic of Somalia – Harmonized Draft Constitution". Federal Government of Somalia.
4. "Guidebook to the Somali Draft Provisional Constitution".
5. (21 December 2014). "Somali parliament endorses the bill of boundaries and federalism". Goobjoog.
6. (18 November 2014). "Cabinet approves Bills for National Electoral Commission, Boundary and Federalization Commission and a $216 M budget for 2015".
7. (8 November 2014). "SOMALIA: South-west state endorses a new constitution".
8. (17 October 2016). "New President elected for Hir-Shabelle state".
9. (10 October 2016). "Somalia's regional states submit Upper House nominations".
10. Mohamed Haji Mukhtar. (2011). "Historical Dictionary of Somalia". Scarecrow Press.
11. Mukhtar, 2011, p.48
12. "OCHA Somalia - Subnational Population Statistics".
13. [http://www.statoids.com/uso.html "Regions of Somalia"] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-10-23 . ''Statoids''. Retrieved 20 February 2011.)