Garad Jama Garad Ali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garad Jama Garad Ali |
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| Garaad of the Dhulbahante | |
| Reign | 2006 |
| Coronation | 2006 |
| Born | 1974 Las Anod, Somalia |
| Father | Garaad Cali |
Garad Jama Garad Ali (Somali: Garaad Jamaac Garaad Cali) is an important traditional leader, known as a Sultan or Garaad, for the Dhulbahante clan. He is the 21st supreme leader of his people. Garad Jama has a big role in the politics of Somalia today, especially in the Ssc-Khatumo region.
Biography
Early Life
Garad Jama was born in 1974 in Las Anod, a city in the Sool region of Somalia. His father was Garad Ali Garad Jama. Garad Jama belongs to the Baharsame group within the Farah Garad part of the Dhulbahante clan. Some people also say his hometown is Sahdheer.
In 1985, when Garad Jama was only 11 years old, his father passed away. He was too young to become the next Garad. So, his uncle, Garad Abdiqani Garad Jama, took over the leadership role.
His uncle, Garad Abdiqani, was a very active leader. He was part of a big meeting in Burao in 1991. At this meeting, he first suggested that Somaliland should become independent. He even signed the Somaliland Declaration of Independence for the Dhulbahante people. However, Garad Abdiqani later changed his mind. He joined the group that started Puntland in 1998, showing he no longer fully supported Somaliland's independence.
Garad Abdiqani Garad Jama passed away on February 9, 2006. After his uncle's death, Garad Jama was ready to take on the leadership.
Becoming a Leader
Garad Jama's coronation was a very special event. It happened on May 22, 2006, in Geedo-Qarsay Valley, near Las Anod. This valley is a historic place where his father, uncle, and grandfather were also crowned.
Many important people came to the ceremony. This included politicians like the former Somali Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh. The President and Vice-President of Puntland also attended. It was the first time so many different political leaders came together since the Somali government fell in 1991.
Thousands of guests enjoyed the hospitality of the people of Las Anod. There were even well-trained horses decorated with beautiful fabrics. This showed off the amazing work of traditional Somali artists. At 10 o'clock, milk was poured onto Garad Jama. This act is a symbol of peace and good fortune in Somali culture.
Since becoming Garad, he has worked hard for peace. He helps solve problems in northern Somali regions. These include Somaliland, Puntland, and the Somali Region in Ethiopia. Garad Jama has a lot of influence and plays a big role in the lives of northern Somalis.
Working for Unity and Peace
In 2007, Garad Jama visited Las Anod. Soon after, Somaliland forces took control of the city. Because of this, Garad Jama did not visit Las Anod again for 15 years. He believes in a united Somalia.
In October 2009, Garad Jama spoke to the BBC. He asked the Somaliland army to leave Las Anod and Buuhoodle. However, a Somaliland parliament leader refused this request.
In November 2010, Garad Jama met with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who was the President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. This meeting was part of efforts to bring different groups together.
Garad Jama later joined Khatumo State, a group formed by the Dhulbahante people around 2012. He was a traditional leader in this group. In August 2012, a meeting was held in Sahdheer, where Garad Jama lives. At this meeting, Ali Khalif Galaydh was chosen as the new president of Khatumo State.
In November 2013, Garad Jama spoke out against the Puntland government. He felt they were interfering with Khatumo State. He also criticized the Khatumo State Vice President for talking with the Puntland government.
By April 2014, Khatumo State began to face challenges. Garad Jama was still living in Sahdheer and had connections with Puntland. In June 2017, he disagreed with President Ali Khalif Galaydh's plan to join Khatumo State with Somaliland.
Recent Events
In March 2020, Garad Jama visited Dharkayn Geenyo. He attended the inauguration of Garad Mukhtar Garad Ali. During this event, he stated that their region does not belong to Somaliland or Puntland.
On January 23, 2023, Garad Jama returned to Las Anod for the first time in 15 years. He received a warm welcome. He said that the Somaliland government was causing problems in Las Anod. He also stated that Las Anod would no longer be controlled by Hargeisa.
On January 31, Garad Jama accused Somaliland troops of being terrorists. This was in response to Somaliland's president calling the forces in Las Anod "terrorists."
On February 6, 2023, Garad Jama and other Dhulbahante elders made an important announcement. They said they wanted to form a new state government called "SSC-Khatumo." This new state would be part of the Federal Government of Somalia. On the same day, Somaliland troops attacked Las Anod, and many people were killed.
On February 8, Garad Jama accused the Somaliland government of violence against civilians. He called for peace and said Las Anod wanted to be governed by the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu. In February, fighting and bombings caused many deaths and forced thousands of people to leave their homes. The UN reported over 200 deaths.
On July 11, Somaliland troops reportedly attacked a health facility in Las Anod. This destroyed ambulances and hurt many people, including healthcare workers. The World Health Organization spoke out against this attack. Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were fighting clan militias and terrorists.
On August 25, the SSC administration took control of two Somaliland military bases. They captured many weapons and vehicles. A spokesperson for SSC-Khatumo said they won a big victory. They drove Somaliland's army away and secured the whole region. This victory brought peace to Las Anod and the cities of SSC-Khatumo. In December, Garad Jama and Dhulbahante elders confirmed that Khatumo state is not part of Puntland, and belongs neither to Somaliland nor Puntland.
See also
- Garaad
- Garad Abdiqani Garad Jama
- Garad Saleban Garad Mohamed
- Laascaanood
