Aulihan
Encyclopedia
The Aulihan are a Somali
clan, a division of the larger Ogaden
clan, living on both sides of the Kenya
- Somalia
border.
The Aulihan migrated from the Ogaden
region of Western Ethiopia
in response to pressure from the expanding Ethiopian empire and had taken control of the hinterland of the lower Jubba river
by the 1870s.
The Aulihan today hold the middle Jubba Valley areas north of Gelib. Their grazing territory extends across the border into Kenya
, and they claim a large part of northeastern Garissa District
.
They are active in the cross-border cattle trade.
In 1984 there was little rain. In search of grazing, Aulihan from Garissa District pushed into Isiolo District
where they started to push the Boran people from their pasturage and to raid their herds.
In December 1915, the Aulihan raided some Samburu who had taken their herds into the Lorian Swamp
, stealing several thousand cattle. The British
, preoccupied with military operations against the Germans
in German East Africa
, were slow to respond. After their post at Sarinley
in Jubaland
was sacked, the British withdrew from their other posts in the northeast frontier region of the East African Protectorate. The Aulihan attempted to get other clans involved in their struggle against the colonialists, but were not successful. Eventually, in September 1917 the British sent an expedition that re-occupied Serenli, and followed up with successful operations against the northern Aulihan who capitulated on 15 January 1918. Further ruthless operations against southern Aulihan were completed in March 1918.
In the late 1980s the Aulihan, Mohamed Zubeyr and other Ogadeen clansmen had formed the Somali Patriotic Movement
(SPM), taking control of the Lower Jubba.
In the mid-1990s there was a split within the Ogadeen, with the Aulihan led by General Nur Gebiyo joining with General Hersi Morgan's Harti-based faction of the SPM.
By 2000, some of the Aulihan had fled the fighting in Somalia and were living as refugees in camps around Dadaab
, Kenya.
Even in the camps, violence between the different clans was common.
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
clan, a division of the larger Ogaden
Ogaden (clan)
The Ogaden is a Somali clan, and one of the largest Darod subclans.-Overview:Members of the Ogaden clan primarily live in the central Ogaden plateau of Ethiopia , the North Eastern Province of Kenya, and the Jubaland region of Southern Somalia...
clan, living on both sides of the Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
- Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
border.
The Aulihan migrated from the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
region of Western Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
in response to pressure from the expanding Ethiopian empire and had taken control of the hinterland of the lower Jubba river
Jubba River
The Jubba River is a river in southern Somalia. It begins at the border with Ethiopia, where the Dawa and Ganale Dorya rivers meet, and flows directly south to the Indian Ocean, where it empties at the Goobweyn juncture.-History:...
by the 1870s.
The Aulihan today hold the middle Jubba Valley areas north of Gelib. Their grazing territory extends across the border into Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, and they claim a large part of northeastern Garissa District
Garissa District
Garissa District is an administrative district in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Garissa. The district has a population of 329,939...
.
They are active in the cross-border cattle trade.
In 1984 there was little rain. In search of grazing, Aulihan from Garissa District pushed into Isiolo District
Isiolo District
Isiolo District is an administrative district inEastern Province of Kenya. Its population is 100.861 , and its capital is Isiolo town. Isiolo District is to be the first district to be developed as part of the Kenya Vision 2030 program....
where they started to push the Boran people from their pasturage and to raid their herds.
In December 1915, the Aulihan raided some Samburu who had taken their herds into the Lorian Swamp
Lorian Swamp
The Lorian Swamp is an area of wetlands on the Ewaso Ngiro river in Kenya.The swampy zone is long and has a greatest width of , covering an area of .Apart from the Ewaso Ngiro river, the swamp is also fed by wadis from the southwest and the northeast....
, stealing several thousand cattle. The British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, preoccupied with military operations against the Germans
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
in German East Africa
German East Africa
German East Africa was a German colony in East Africa, which included what are now :Burundi, :Rwanda and Tanganyika . Its area was , nearly three times the size of Germany today....
, were slow to respond. After their post at Sarinley
Sarinley
Sarinley is a small town north west of Bardera in Gedo region in Somalia. The town lies about 7 km west of Jubba River on the road to Garbahaarreey.-History:...
in Jubaland
Jubaland
Jubaland , also known as Azania or the Juba Valley and formerly as Trans-Juba , is an autonomous region in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies 40–60 km east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo to the Indian Ocean, while its western side flanks the North Eastern Province in...
was sacked, the British withdrew from their other posts in the northeast frontier region of the East African Protectorate. The Aulihan attempted to get other clans involved in their struggle against the colonialists, but were not successful. Eventually, in September 1917 the British sent an expedition that re-occupied Serenli, and followed up with successful operations against the northern Aulihan who capitulated on 15 January 1918. Further ruthless operations against southern Aulihan were completed in March 1918.
In the late 1980s the Aulihan, Mohamed Zubeyr and other Ogadeen clansmen had formed the Somali Patriotic Movement
Somali Patriotic Movement
The Somali Patriotic Movement is a political party and paramilitary organization in Somalia, and a key faction in the Somali Civil War. Commanded by Aden Abdullahi Nur Gabyow, it was based in the southwestern area of the country, and had considerable influence in the leaderless country...
(SPM), taking control of the Lower Jubba.
In the mid-1990s there was a split within the Ogadeen, with the Aulihan led by General Nur Gebiyo joining with General Hersi Morgan's Harti-based faction of the SPM.
By 2000, some of the Aulihan had fled the fighting in Somalia and were living as refugees in camps around Dadaab
Dadaab
Dadaab is a semi-arid town in the North Eastern Province in Kenya. As of 2011, it hosts what is often described as the largest refugee camp in the world.-General:...
, Kenya.
Even in the camps, violence between the different clans was common.