Awdalland

Awdalland (Somali: Awdalland Arabic: أرض أودال‎) is a region in northwestern Somalia. Centered on Borama, the capital of the Awdal province, its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 2009.

History

Awdalland (also spelled "Adal[land]" or "Adel[land]") takes its name from the Adal Sultanate, a medieval empire which rose to power during the 16th century. The area along the Ethiopian border is abundant with ruined cities, which were described by the British explorer Richard F. Burton.

In 1995, after the collapse of the Somalian central government, a local separatist movement known as the Awdalland Republic briefly sought independence.

In 2009, the formation of a new autonomous region within a federal Somalia was officially declared. Referred to as Awdalland or the Adal State, the local administration does not recognize the secessionist Somaliland government's claim to sovereignty or to its territory.

Demographics

The Awdal region of Awdalland is primarily inhabited by Somalis from the Gadabuursi and Issa clans.