Galkayo ( so, Gaalkacyo, ar, جالكعيو
[Dr Badal Kariye Ba Bsit Ma Mba & Phd, ''The Kaleidoscopic Lover: The Civil War in the Horn of Africa & My Itinerary for a Peaceful Lover'', (AuthorHouse: 2010), p.116.]) which in Af-
Somali
Somali may refer to:
Horn of Africa
* Somalis, an inhabitant or ethnicity associated with Greater Somali Region
** Proto-Somali, the ancestors of modern Somalis
** Somali culture
** Somali cuisine
** Somali language, a Cushitic language
** Somali ...
translates to Gaal get out or get up is the capital of the north-central
Mudug
Mudug ( so, Mudug; it, Mudugh) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north-central Somalia. The population of Mudug is 131,455 as of 2005.
Overview
Physiographically, Mudug is bordered to the west by Ethiopia,Országismertető - Szomália ...
region of
Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constitut ...
.
The city of Galkacyo is divided into two administrative areas separated by a loose boundary.
Geographically Galkacyo is divided into four main quarters: Garsoor, Horumar, Israac and Wadajir and horumar .
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
controls Garsoor and Israac, while
Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the Pu ...
controls Wadajir in South
Following independence, Galkacyo was made the center of the
Galkayo District. The city has grown considerably in recent times and serves as a commercial hub.
Population estimates range from 80,000 to 315,000.
History
Before independence Gaalkacyo was small town mainly inhibited by pastrolists, following the independence of Somalia in 1960, Galkayo was made the center of
Galkayo District and the capital of Mudug region.
Geography
Location
Galkayo is situated in north-central Somalia, in the heart of the
Mudug
Mudug ( so, Mudug; it, Mudugh) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north-central Somalia. The population of Mudug is 131,455 as of 2005.
Overview
Physiographically, Mudug is bordered to the west by Ethiopia,Országismertető - Szomália ...
region. Nearby settlements include to the east Godad (7.1 nm), to the northeast
Bali busle (16.2 nm), to the north Halobooqad (4.4 nm), to the northwest
Beyra
Beyra is a small town in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. It is situated between Galdogob and Galkayo, in the autonomous Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officiall ...
(12.8 nm), to the west Xera Jaale-bayra (23.8 nm), to the southwest Saaxo (30 nm), to the south Laascadale (10.2 nm), and to the southeast Arfuda (13.0 nm).
The largest cities in the country most proximate to Galkayo are
Hobyo
Hobyo (; so, Hobyo), is an ancient port city in Galmudug state in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia.
Hobyo was founded as a coastal outpost by the Ajuran Empire during the 13th century.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: ...
(217 km),
Garowe
Garowe ( so, Garoowe, ar, غَاْرَّوْؤَيَ, (219 km) and
Qardho
Qardho ( so, Qardho, ar, قرضو), also known as Gardo, is a city in the northeastern Bari region of Somalia, a district within the autonomous state of Puntland.
History Until Somalia's Independence
Qardho is one of a series of ancient settleme ...
(358 km).
Shimbiris, the highest peak in Somalia, is located some 432 km to the north in the
Cal Madow mountain range.
Climate
Galkayo has a
hot arid climate
The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk''), is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...
(
Köppen ''BWh'').
Administration
Galkayo is situated in the north-central part of Somalia, and is one of the most developed towns in the region.
The city is divided into four main districts called Garsoor, Horumar, Israac, and Wadajir districts respectively. The Puntland Administration controls parts of Garsoor and Israac, while Galmudug controls Horumar, Wadajir.
Although relatively stable compared to southern Somalia,
sporadic targeted assassination attempts by
Al-Shabaab militants against Puntland public officials led in 2010–2011 to a police crackdown and comprehensive administrative reform.
The Puntland and Galmudug administrations subsequently signed an accord in Garowe in February 2011, officially agreeing to cooperate on security, economic and social matters so as to strengthen inter-regional relations.
Services
A lively trading city, Galkayo is a center for local business.
Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, supermarkets and newly erected office blocks earmarked for the government and NGOs line the streets, juxtaposed by the tall minarets of
masjid
A mosque (; from ar, مَسْجِد, masjid, ; literally "place of ritual prostration"), also called masjid, is a place of prayer for Muslims. Mosques are usually covered buildings, but can be any place where prayers ( sujud) are performed, i ...
s. The city also offers numerous social services such as hospitals, petrol stops and police stations, with the former
Somali Army
The Somali National Army ( Somali: ''Xooga Dalka Soomaaliyeed,'' lit. ''"Somali Ground Forces"'') is the ground forces component of the Somali Armed Forces, and is the largest out of the three service branches that make up the majority of the A ...
barracks kept in good condition and renovated.
Moreover, Galkayo is a hub of
calligraphic
Calligraphy (from el, link=y, καλλιγραφία) is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as ...
art, serving as a training ground of sorts for local
visual art
The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts ...
ists. Elaborate murals and phrases in Arabic and English adorn the walls of the city's many office and shop buildings.
Demographics
In 2010, the
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)french: link=no, Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture; it, Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura is an intern ...
noted that population estimates for Galkayo ranged from 75,000 to 315,000, with a
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)french: Programme des Nations unies pour le développement, PNUD is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human dev ...
estimate for 2005 being 105,000.
[ The ]International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group (ICG; also known as the Crisis Group) is a transnational non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1995. It is a think tank, used by policymakers and academics, performing research and analysis on global ...
gives a figure of 137,000 for 2015.
The Surre, Arab Salah, Habar Gidir, Leelkase, Awrtable
The Awrtable ( Somali: ''Awrtable'', Arabic: ''أورتبلي''; also spelled ''Ortable'', ''Aurtable'' or ''Owrtable'') is a Somali sub-clan from the Darod clan.
Background
The Awrtable have a vast traditional territory covering Mudug, N ...
, and Majeerten clans are mainly the dominant in Galkayo.
The neighbourhood of Wadajir and Horumar in southern area of the city, which is controlled by Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the Pu ...
, is mainly inhabited by the Sa'ad sub-division of the Habar Gidir, a Hawiye subclan and the Saleebaan Abdalle and Qubeys both sub-divisions of the Surre Dir.
Education
Galkayo has a number of academic institutions. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 40 primary schools in the Galkayo District. Among these are the Axmed Guray school in Israac, named after Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi
Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi ( so, Axmed Ibraahim al-Qaasi or Axmed Gurey, Harari: አሕመድ ኢብራሂም አል-ጋዚ, ar, أحمد بن إبراهيم الغازي ; 1506 – 21 February 1543) was an imam and general of the Adal Sulta ...
(Ahmed Gurey); Al-Qudus in Horumar; and Barkhadle in Garsoor, built in honour of the 13th century scholar and saint Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn (Aw Barkhadle). Puntland secondary schools in the area include Haji Ali Bihi, Cumar Samatar Secondary School (CSSS), Yasin Nor Hassan and Galkayo High. In addition, several new schools were opened in 2012.
Institutions of higher learning with a presence in the city include the Puntland State University
Puntland State University is a university in Garowe, the administrative capital of the northeastern Puntland region of Somalia.
History
The school traces its roots back to the Garowe School of Management, a women's school in Garowe offering cou ...
(PSU), Puntland University of Science and Technology (PUST), Galkayo University (GU), and Mudug University (MU). East Africa University (EAU) also has a Galkayo branch, one of its seven campuses in Puntland. Additionally, the public Galkayo Vocational Training Centre (GVTC) and the privately owned Mudug Vocational Training Center (MVTC) provide technical training.
Sports
Galkayo is home to Abdullahi Issa
Abdullahi Issa Mohamud ( so, Cabdullaahi Ciise Maxamuud, ar, عبد الله عيسى محمد ( 1922 – March 24, 1988) was a Somali politician. He was the Prime Minister of Italian Somalia during the trusteeship period, serving from Februa ...
Stadium, a sporting facility which is named in memory of Abdullahi Issa
Abdullahi Issa Mohamud ( so, Cabdullaahi Ciise Maxamuud, ar, عبد الله عيسى محمد ( 1922 – March 24, 1988) was a Somali politician. He was the Prime Minister of Italian Somalia during the trusteeship period, serving from Februa ...
, the first Prime Minister of Somalia. The stadium hosts to many local football clubs including FC YAMAYS, RPS FC, Dowladda Hoose FC, Homboboro FC, Telecom FC and Galcom FC.
In addition, the city has various courts set aside for basketball. It soccer fields and volleyball.
Galkayo also has the new Awale Stadium
Transportation
Air transportation in Galacyo is served by the Abdullahi Yusuf Airport
Abdullahi Yusuf Airport , formerly known as the Galkayo Airport, is an airport located in Galkayo, the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia.
Overview
Like most of Galkayo, the Abdullahi Yusuf Airport is administered by the aut ...
, operated by Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
and Oshaco International Airport operated by Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the Pu ...
. Unlike Abdullahi Yusuf Airport
Abdullahi Yusuf Airport , formerly known as the Galkayo Airport, is an airport located in Galkayo, the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia.
Overview
Like most of Galkayo, the Abdullahi Yusuf Airport is administered by the aut ...
, Oshaco International Airport does not have IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA ) is a trade association of the world's airlines founded in 1945. IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organized tarif ...
and ICAO
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international a ...
airport codes as it is not recognized by any international entity.
In September 2013, the Somali federal government signed an official cooperation agreement with its Chinese counterpart in Mogadishu as part of a five-year national recovery plan. The pact will see the Chinese authorities reconstruct several major infrastructural landmarks in the Somali capital and elsewhere, as well as the road linking Galkayo with Burao
Burao, also spelt Bur'o or Bur'ao (; so, Burco, , ar, برعو) is the capital of the Togdheer region and the second largest city in Somaliland. Burao was also the third largest city of Somalia. Burao was the site of the declaration of an in ...
.
Media
Various media organizations are based in Galkayo. These include Radio Daljir, Radio Galmudug and Radio Codka-Mudug. Radio Gaalkacyo
Radio Gaalkacyo is a radio station based in Galkayo, Somalia.
Overview
It has an associated website written in Somali and in English, presenting news and current events.
Formerly known as ''Radio Free Somalia'', Radio Gaalkacyo currently counts ...
, formerly known as Radio Free Somalia, also broadcasts from the city.
Accommodation
Several establishments in Galkayo offer accommodation. Among these hotels and guest houses are the Kamaal Hotel, the Classic Hotel and Restaurant, and the Saylan Hotel. The Taar City Hotel is especially noted for its domesticated ostrich
Ostriches are large flightless birds of the genus ''Struthio'' in the order Struthioniformes, part of the infra-class Palaeognathae, a diverse group of flightless birds also known as ratites that includes the emus, rheas, and kiwis. There ...
es.
Neighborhoods
Galkayo consists of the following neighborhoods: Israac, Horumar, Garsoor and Wadajir.
Notable residents
* Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed ( so, Cabdulaahi Yuusuf Axmed, ar, عبدالله يوسف أحمد; 15 December 1934 – 23 March 2012) was a Somali politician and former colonel in the Somali National Army. He was one of the founders of the Somali ...
- President of Somalia (2004-2008) and Founding Father of Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
state.
* Asha Gelle Dirie – former Minister of Women Development and Family Affairs of Puntland.
* Waris Dirie Waris may refer to:
People
*Abdul Majeed Waris (born 1991), Ghanaian footballer
*Manmohan Waris (born 1967), Indian Punjabi folk/pop singer
* Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood (born 1942), British author
* Syed Mohammad Waris Hasan Naqvi (died 2008), India ...
– model, actress, author and activist.
* Mohammed Awale Liban - Designer of the Flag of Somalia in 1954, born in eastern Galkacyo, Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
.
* Ahmed Duale Gelle - President of Galmudug, businessman and former federal MP.
* Zakaria Mohamed Haji-Abdi – leader of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
The Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) was a Somali political party. A successor to the Islamic Courts Union, it was launched in September 2007.
History of the ARS
Members of the Islamic Courts Union and Somali opposition leaders ...
.
* Abdulkadir Abdi Hashi
Abdulkadir Abdinur Hashi ( so, Cabdulqaadir Cabdinuur Xaashi, ar, عبد القادر عبدالنور حاشي) is a Somali politician. He previously served as the Minister of State for Planning and International Cooperation of Puntland, and i ...
– MP in Federal Parliament, and former State Minister of the Presidency for Planning and International Relations of Puntland.
* Abdirizak Haji Hussein
Abdirizak Haji Hussein ( so, Cabdirisaaq Xaaji Xuseen; ar, عبد الرزاق حاجي حسين; 24 December 192431 January 2014) was a Somali diplomat and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Somali Republic from 14 June 1964 to 15 ...
– former Prime Minister of Somalia, and former Secretary General of the Somali Youth League.
* Abdi Bashiir Indhobuur
Abdi Bashiir Indhobuur was a Somali post and songwriter.Abdi, Ali Musa. "I Came for Peace, and I Got a Play." SomaliUK. 5 Nov. 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2010. He wrote a song called Arligeygow, translated to mean My Land.
Indhobuur was born in Gaalkacy ...
- poet and playwright who composed of many patriotic songs.
* Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Chairman of the United Somali Congress that toppled Dictator Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre ( so, Maxamed Siyaad Barre, Osmanya script: ; ar, محمد سياد بري; c. 1910 – 2 January 1995) was a Somali head of state and general who served as the 3rd president of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 19 ...
, battled US Delta forces and UNOSOM during Operation Restore Hope and President of Somalia before his Death, 1987–1996
* Abdi Qeybdiid – former President of Galmudug, and former Interior Minister of Somalia.
* Ali Haji Warsame - First Director of Management at Port of Bosaso
The Port of Bosaso, also known as Bosaso Port, is the official seaport of Bosaso, the commercial capital of the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia. It is classified as a major class port. The port is operated by P&O Ports since ...
and presidential candidate at the Puntland presidential election, 2014.
* Mohamed Warsame Ali – first President of Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the Pu ...
, former Ambassador of Somalia to the US, former Minister of Commerce, Public Works, and Sports and Youth Affairs.
See also
*Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the Pu ...
*Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
*
*
{{Authority control
Populated places in Mudug
Galmudug
Puntland