Wajid, Somalia

Wajid
Weejid
Weejidow
Town
Wajid is located in Somalia
Wajid
Wajid
Location in Somalia
Coordinates: 3°48′30″N 43°14′51″E / 3.80833°N 43.24750°E / 3.80833; 43.24750
Country Somalia
State South West
RegionBakool
DistrictWajid District
Population
 • Total
60,105
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Wajid (Somali: Waajid) is a town in the southern Bakool region of Somalia.It is inhabited by Mirifle with Jiroon the majority in the town. It is the capital of the Wajid District.

Overview

Wajid is located approximately 302 kilometres (188 mi) northwest of the national capital Mogadishu, 78 kilometres (48 mi) southwest of Hudur, and 69 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of the Somalia-Ethiopia border.

In March 2014, Somali Armed Forces assisted by an Ethiopian battalion with AMISOM captured the district from Al-Shabaab.[1] The offensive was part of an intensified military operation by the allied forces to remove the insurgent group from the remaining areas in southern Somalia under its control.[2]

According to Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the government subsequently launched stabilization efforts in the newly liberated areas, which also included Hudur, Rabdhure and Burdhubo. The Ministry of Defence was providing ongoing reassurance and security to the local residents, and supplying logistical and security support to deliver relief assistance. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior was prepared to support and put into place programs to assist local administration and security. A Deputy Minister and several religious scholars were also dispatched to all four towns to coordinate and supervise the federal government's stabilization initiatives.[3]

Demographics

As of 2000, Wajid had a population of around 8,100 inhabitants.[4] The broader Wajid District has a total population of 69,694 residents.[5]

Notes

  1. ^ "SOMALIA: Al-shabab loses control of Wajid to Somali government forces backed by AMISOM troops". Raxanreeb. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Somalia: Federal Govt, AMISOM troops clash with Al Shabaab". Garowe Online. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  3. ^ "SOMALIA: PM hosts meeting with International Community diplomats on stabilisation efforts". Raxanreeb. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Somalia City & Town Population". Tageo. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Regions, districts, and their populations: Somalia 2005 (draft)" (PDF). UNDP. Retrieved 21 September 2013.

References