Baki District (Somali: Degmada Baki) is a district in the Awdal region of western Somaliland.[2]

Baki District
Degmada Baki
Baki district within Awdal, Somaliland
Baki district within Awdal, Somaliland
Coordinates: 10°17′09″N 43°43′57″E / 10.28595°N 43.73256°E / 10.28595; 43.73256
Country Somaliland
RegionAwdal
CapitalBaki
Area
 • Total3,420 km2 (1,320 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)[1]
 • Total148,702
 • Density43.48/km2 (112.6/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Demographics

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Baki is inhabited by the Reer Nuur branch of the Makahiil and Reer Mohamed branch of the Mahad 'Ase subclans of the Gadabuursi Dir clan.[3][4][5]

Mayor

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  • Idiris Faarax Rooble 2002[6]
  • Saleebaan Maxamuud Aadan 2016[7]

Mining

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The Simodi Mountains, located 48 km east of Baki village, have long been used as a mine. In the past, coltan and other materials were mined, and nowadays beryllium is mined and is called the Simodi Beryllium Mining Site.[5]

Mining rights are complex.

The Somaliland government has granted mining rights to China's African Resources Corporation (ARC.) However, local clans have complained that profits are not being returned to the local community.[5]

Somaliland government effectively controls Baki district, so the Federal Republic of Somalia has no real authority over it at all. However, there had been discussions between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Chinese Ambassador over the rights to this mine.[5]

The local clans are Reer Mohamed and Reer Nour. Both clans are branches of the Gadabuursi clan, but the mine is mainly owned by the Reer Mohamed clan, and there are concerns about conflicts with the disgruntled Rail Reer Nour.[5]

Local youth and foreign Diasporas have complained of pollution caused by beryllium mining. And it is said that foreign diaspora and Federal Republic of Somalia officials who oppose Somaliland's independence are overreaching on the issue.[5]

2005 Somaliland parliamentary election

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During the 2005 Somaliland parliamentary election, some confusion was reported in the Baki district.

A large number of voters gathered at the polling place, and in some places there were scuffles. Measures were taken to prevent multiple voting by applying fluorescent ink to the fingers of those who had already voted, but the checks were inadequate. The number of votes cast was unnaturally high considering the results of the 2003 vote. In addition, members of certain political parties were assisting at the polling stations. In some cases, the polls were not opened promptly after voting, and the Dila A polling station had a two-hour break after the polls closed to drink tea and chew khat.[8]

History

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A 1996 study reported an unusually high incidence of Malaria in Baki and Borama, with some cases being severe.[9]

In 1999, FAO initiated a project for the maintenance of pastures and grasslands in the Borama and Baki districts.[10]

In 2002, a meeting was held between the mayors of Gabiley and Baki districts, to address their conflict, mediated by the Somaliland Ministry of Interior. At that meeting, the mayor of Baki appealed for humanitarian aid against epidemics and drought.[6]

In 2003, activities to improve health and welfare were initiated in Baki and Borama districts in cooperation with the Somaliland Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Vaccination and measures to combat contaminated water were planned.[11]

In December 2006, the deputy leader of the United Peoples' Democratic Party alleged that Governor Awdal was committing fraud in connection with the construction of a road connecting Baki and Borama, but Governor Awdal dismissed this claim.[12]

In April 2009, fighting erupted over the boundary between the Gabiley and Baki districts.[13]

In May 2013, the Somaliland Minister of Agriculture inspected the agricultural damage caused by floods and pests in Baki and Borama districts.[14]

In October 2014, Somaliland's Minister of Minerals and Energy announced at a press conference that a mineral resources survey by China's African Resources Company (ARC) had led to complaints from local residents that environmental damage was occurring.[15]

In December 2015, at a meeting in Borama, it was announced that the FAO had invested in 80 farmers in the Baki district.[16]

In March 2016, a Chinese mining company built a four-class building for a middle school in Simodi, Baki district, that holds more than 100 students.[17]

In August 2017, a car with the deputy mayor of Baki district was detained by Borama police; the deputy mayor was released but the car was sent to Hargeisa. Chiefs, elders, and experts from the Baki district gathered for a meeting on this issue.[18]

In September 2017, a thunderstorm in Awdal region killed three people and injured two others in Baki district due to lightning strikes.[19]

In November 2018, the Somaliland Minister of Agricultural Development visited the village of Ruqi in Baki district, which was damaged by cyclone, to lay the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the destroyed irrigation system. The work is funded by the Norwegian Refugee Council and supported by the British government and local farmers.[20]

In August 2021, the Somaliland Board of Audit investigated allegations of abuse of power and corruption by the executive branch in Baki city and the illegal arrest of local elders.[21]

In December 2021, a gold mine was found in the Baki district, and many people reportedly gathered at the mine in confusion after hearing rumors.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Regions, districts, and their populations: Somalia 2005 (draft)" (PDF). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. United Nations Development Programme. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  2. ^ Districts of Somalia, Statoids
  3. ^ Ciabarri, Luca. Dopo lo Stato. Storia e antropologia della ricomposizione sociale nella Somalia settentrionale: Storia e antropologia della ricomposizione sociale nella Somalia settentrionale (in Italian). FrancoAngeli. p. 258. Baki region, the traditional region of the Gadabursi
  4. ^ Ambroso, Guido (August 2002). Pastoral society and transnational refugees: population movements in Somaliland and eastern Ethiopia. UNHCR Brussels. Chart showing the Gadabursi exclusively inhabiting the Baki district
  5. ^ a b c d e f Keating, Michael; Waldmann, Matt (2018). War and Peace in Somalia: National Grievances, Local Conflict and Al-Shabaab. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190058012.
  6. ^ a b "Degmooyinka Gebilay iyo Baki". haatuf.net. 2002-12-10. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  7. ^ International Republican Institute (2005). "International Republican Institute Somaliland September 29, 2005 Parliamentary Election Assessment Report" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  8. ^ International Republican Institute (2005). "International Republican Institute Somaliland September 29, 2005 Parliamentary Election Assessment Report" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  9. ^ "Somalia Humanitarian Situation Report". reliefweb.int. 1996-10-31. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  10. ^ "SOIL EROSION AND LAND RECLAMATION PROJECT IN BORAMA AND BAKI DISTRICTS". faoswalim.org. January 1999. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  11. ^ "February 25, 2003". haatuf.net. 2003-02-25. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  12. ^ "Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Awdal Oo Iska Daafacay Eedeymo Kaga Yimi Mid Ka Mid Odayada Reer Boorama". haatuf.net. 2006-12-22. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  13. ^ "Dagaal laba Beelood ku dhexmaray Deegaanno ka tirsan Somaliland". hiiraan.com. 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  14. ^ "Wasiir Geeddoole Oo Kormeer Ku Sameeyay Beeraha Baki Iyo Boorama Oo Dhibaatooyin Soo Wajaheen". geeska.net. 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  15. ^ "Wasaaradda Macdanta iyo Tamarta Oo Sharaxday Sahamin Shirkad Chiness Ahi Ka Wado Baki Oo Dad Ka Cawday". hargeisapress.com. 2014-10-11. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  16. ^ "FAO Oo Maal Gelisay Beeraleyda Deg. Baki". voasomali.com. 2015-12-23. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  17. ^ "Shirkada China Group Oo Dhameys Tirey Dhisme Dugsi Dhexe Deegaanka Siimoodi Ee Gobolka Awdal". afkashacabka.com. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  18. ^ "Odayaal Reer Baki Ah Oo Cambaareeyay Xukuumadda". geeska.net. 2017-08-05. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  19. ^ "Somaliland:Sagaal Qof oo Galabta & Caawa ku kala Geeriyooday Gobolada Awdal Iyo Saaxil kadib shilal ka dhashay Danab Roob iyo Mid gaadiid". qurbejoog.com. 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  20. ^ "BAKI: Wasiirka Beeraha Oo Dhagx-dhigay Dib U Dhiska Maangad Lagu Waraabin Jiray Tobanaan Beerood Oo Duufaantii Sagar Ka Dumisay Beeralayda Ruqi". somalilandpost.net. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  21. ^ "Hanti Dhawrka oo Baadhis ka Bilaabay Degmada Baki iyo Odayaal la Xidhxidhay". wargeyskadawan.com. 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  22. ^ "Muxuu yahay dahabka laga helay buuraha ku dhaw magaalada Boorama ee ay dadku ku yaaceen?". bbc.com. 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
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