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Sanag | |
|---|---|
 Overview of theCal Madow mountains in Sanaag | |
 Location in Somaliland | |
| Country |  Somaliland Disputed with Puntland |
| Administrative centre | Erigavo |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mahamed Elmi Hussein Ahmed[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 54,231 km2 (20,939 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 325,136 |
| IPC document listed number | |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| HDI (2021) | 0.448[3] low ·3rd of 18 |
Sanag (Somali:Sanaag,Arabic:سَنَاج) is an administrative region (gobol) in north easternSomaliland.[4] Sanaag has a long coastline facing theGulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the region ofSahil to the west,Sool to the south andSomalia to the east. The region is disputed by the self-declaredSomaliland andPuntland, a state ofSomalia.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Its capital city isErigavo. Sanaag is the largest region of Somaliland, accounting for 35% of Somaliland's total land area.[11]
The region is partially controlled byPuntland and Somaliland.[12][13] Puntland claims only theHarti-inhabited parts of region to be part of Somaliland, while the latter claims the entire region - a claim based on theBritish Somaliland boundaries.
The Sanaag region is disputed between Somaliland andPuntland. Somaliland effectively controls the western and central parts of Sanaag. Puntland has effective control overBadhan and other areas in the east.[12] Somaliland has declared its claim to all of Sanaag, but some areas (that it struggles to control) do not actually participate in Somaliland's elections.[14]
From 1944 to 1974, modern-day Sanaag region was one of three districts of the Burao region. The other two districts were Burao and Las Anod.[15][16] Sanaag was carved out ofTogdheer region and was established as a separate region on June 23, 1973, comprising the three districts ofErigavo,Las Qorey andGaradag.[17]
Sanaag is home to numerousarchaeological sites, with rock art, ancient ruins, buildings andcairns found at numerous sites, such asGudmo Biyo Cas,Heis,Maydh,Haylan,Qa'ableh,Qombo'ul,Gelweita andEl Ayo.[18] However, many of these old structures have yet to be properly explored, a process which would help shed further light on local history and facilitate their preservation for posterity.[19]
Sanaag is also home to the ruined Islamic city ofMaduna nearEl Afweyn, which is considered the most substantial and most accessible ruin of its type in Somaliland.[20][21] The main feature of the ruined city includes a large rectangular mosque, its 3 metre high walls still standing and which include a mihrab and possibly several smaller arched niches.[21] Swedish-Somali archaeologistSada Mire dates the ruined city to the 15th–17th centuries.[22]
A severedrought in the region in the early part of the 21st century caused an 80% or greater loss of livestock, though two goodrainy seasons in 2004–2005 helped restore the area. Over a 15-year period of analysis, from 1988 to 2003, there was a 52% loss offorest and a 40% loss ofgrassland, and a 370% increase in bare land. Soilerosion due toweather and human activities and clearing of wood and brush for such uses ascharcoal and fuel are issues leading to a degradation of the environment.[23]
In recent history, the Sanaag region normally maintained a diverse economy, producing and then exporting to other regions, it producedlivestock,frankincense, and leather for export, this was happening while the region lacked basicinfrastructure, but, after the outbreak of civil war the region's economy collapsed from loss of markets and dilapidatedinfrastructure has never helped, and lack of investment. Now the region only supports one main economy,livestock rearing. The Somali livestock ban imposed by Gulf countries in which was Sanaag's largest market has virtually destroyed the economy in the region, reducing purchasing power and forcing pastoralists in the region to survive on subsistence activities.[24]
The region is connected toBurao, capital ofTogdheer region as well as to the rest of the country through theSiilaanyo road.[25]
The region is mainly inhabited by people from theSomali ethnic group, principally theHabr Yunis andHabar Jeclo sub-clans of theIsaaq and theDhulbahante andWarsangali sub-divisions of theHarti Darod.[26]
The region of Sanag is divided into 5 districts as follows:[27][28][29][30]
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| National | |
