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Garoowe

Garowe
𐒌𐒖𐒇𐒝𐒓𐒗
Garove
غَاْرَّوْؤَيَ

Garoe

City

Collage

Coat of arms

Nickname(s):

Amni badan

Garoowe

Location in Somalia

Garoowe

Location in Horn of Africa

Garoowe

Location in Africa

Country

Somalia

Regional State

Puntland

Region

Nugal

Government

• Type

Mayor-Council-Commission

Area

• City

18 km² (7 sq mi)

Elevation

467 m (1,532 ft)

Population

(2019)

• City

485,000

• Urban

350,000

• Rural

165,000

Time zone

UTC+3 (EAT)

Area code(s)

090

Garowe (also called Garoowe) is the capital city of Puntland, a region in northeastern Somalia. It is an important city because it is the main administrative center for the Nugal region. Garowe has grown a lot and now has many government buildings and services for its people. The city is in a dry area with a semi-arid climate. Its economy relies on trade, raising livestock (farm animals), and agriculture (farming).

About Garowe: What's it Like?

Garowe is located in the Nugaal Valley. This valley is surrounded by high plateaus, which are flat areas of land that are higher than the land around them. These plateaus are usually about 500 to 1000 meters (1,640 to 3,280 feet) above sea level. The western part of the plateau has many valleys and dry riverbeds.

The main way people make a living here is by raising livestock. People also collect valuable tree sap like frankincense and myrrh from wild trees.

Garowe's Past: A Quick Look

Early History and Kingdoms

In the 1800s, Garowe and much of northeastern Somalia were part of powerful kingdoms. These included the Majeerteen Sultanate, led by King Osman Mahamud, and the Sultanate of Hobyo, led by Sultan Yusuf Ali Kenadid.

Later, during the time of European colonization, Garowe became part of Italian Somaliland.

Becoming a Regional Capital

After Somalia became independent, Garowe was made a district center. In the early 1970s, it became the capital of a larger region called Nugal. This new region included areas like Las Anod and Eyl.

Garowe After the Civil War

When the Somali Civil War started in 1991, people in Garowe wanted to create a stable government. In 1998, a big meeting was held in the city for three months. Leaders, elders, business people, and other community members came together. They decided to create the Puntland State of Somalia. This new state was formed to provide services, keep people safe, help with trade, and work with other regions and countries.

A residential area in Garowe.

Where is Garowe Located?

Garowe's Neighbors

Garowe is in northeastern Somalia, right in the middle of the Puntland region. Many smaller towns and villages are nearby. For example, Gillab is to the east, and Qalqalooc is to the northeast.

The biggest cities close to Garowe are Qardho (about 205 km or 127 miles away), Galkayo (about 216 km or 134 miles away), and Erigavo (about 275 km or 171 miles away).

Geida Debabo	Libaax Seexay	Qalqalooc
Bixin		Gillab
	Garowe

War Weytan	Salaxley	Lugo

Garowe's Weather

Garowe has a hot desert climate. This means the weather is usually hot, sunny, and dry. The coolest months are from November to February, when temperatures are around 23 to 25°C (73 to 77°F).

The weather gets warmer in the spring, and the rainy season starts in April. In the summer, average temperatures can reach about 41°C (106°F). By September, it starts to cool down again. Garowe does not get much rain, with only about 133 mm (5.2 inches) per year. The sky is usually clear and bright.

Climate data for Garowe
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30 (86)	29 (84)	30 (86)	31 (88)	34 (93)	39 (102)	41 (106)	41 (106)	38 (100)	33 (91)	31 (88)	30 (86)	34 (93)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	26 (79)	27 (81)	30 (86)	32 (90)	31 (88)	29 (84)	25 (77)	25 (77)	23 (73)	27 (80)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	15 (0.6)	0 (0)	1 (0.0)	15 (0.6)	5 (0.2)	5 (0.2)	33 (1.3)	20 (0.8)	15 (0.6)	14 (0.6)	5 (0.2)	5 (0.2)	133 (5.3)
Source: AccuWeather

How Garowe is Governed

Garowe is the third-largest city in Puntland, after Bosaso and Galkayo. It is in the center of the region. This is where the regional parliament meets, and where the presidential palace and many government offices are located.

The city's local government is currently led by Mayor Ahmed Said Musse (Ahmedbarre). He was chosen by the city council members in August 2018.

Government Buildings and Services

In 2012, a new Corrections Academy and Headquarters opened in Garowe. This complex has classrooms, staff living areas, and offices. A new office for the Puntland Ministry of Justice and Rehabilitation also opened. Officials also started building a new prison facility and a new office for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports.

The area also has buildings for the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health, as well as the Puntland State House. A new presidential palace was also opened in April 2013.

In January 2014, the Puntland presidential elections were held in Garowe. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, who used to be the Prime Minister of Somalia, was elected president.

In 2015, the Garowe Municipality started a new system to number houses and land plots. This helps organize the city better. They also launched a city-wide cleaning campaign to make the city cleaner and more beautiful.

Who Lives in Garowe?

The wider Garowe District has about 190,000 people. The city of Garowe is mainly home to Somalis from the Darod clan, including the Majerteen, Leelkase, Dhulbahante, Mehri, and Awrtable groups. There are also people from the Madhibaan community living in the city. Many people who have been displaced from their homes also live in Garowe.

Learning in Garowe: Education

Garowe has many schools and learning centers. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 30 primary schools in the Garowe District. Some of these are Al Xikma, Mayle, Wabari, and Darwiish.

The main campus of Puntland State University is also in Garowe. This university started as a women's college offering courses in business and computer skills. Over time, it grew and became a university offering four-year programs.

Other important learning places include the Garowe Teachers Education College (GTEC), which trains primary school teachers. East Africa University (EAU) also has a campus in Garowe.

Community Services in Garowe

A public library in Garowe.

Many non-profit organizations have offices in Garowe. The Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) is one of them. It helps with research and funding for peace and good governance in Puntland.

The Puntland Agency For Social Welfare (PASWE) is also based here. It was started in 2009 by the regional government. PASWE helps people who need support, like orphans, disabled people, and the blind. It provides medical help, education, and counseling.

Garowe has a main hospital called Garowe Regional Hospital, along with many smaller health clinics. A new general hospital was started in 2008. In 2009, a local non-profit group also opened the region's first mental health facility.

In 2014, the Puntland government started a tree-planting campaign. They planned to plant 25,000 trees in seven cities, including Garowe. This project is part of a bigger effort to protect the environment and plant more trees in the region.

In 2015, the Takaful Insurance Company opened an office in Garowe. This company offers insurance for homes and cars that follows Islamic law.

Garowe's Economy: How People Make Money

Fishing and Banking

In 2013, a new fish market opened in Garowe. This market was built with help from the UK and the United Nations. It is part of a plan to develop the region's economy.

In 2014, a new bank called Iftin Bank started construction in Garowe. Business leaders encouraged people to invest in Puntland. They highlighted the region's natural resources and potential for growth in areas like oil, livestock, and farming.

New Buildings and Job Programs

In 2014, a company called Tawakal Money Express started building a large four-story building called Tawakal Plaza Garowe. This building will have a bank, offices, meeting rooms, and a shopping mall.

In 2015, a project called the Nugal Empowerment for Better Livelihood Project was launched. This project aims to help the local economy by supporting businesses, offering training, and providing education programs. It also helps people connect with others and get advice for their careers.

Getting Around: Transportation

Roadside view of a neighborhood in Garowe.

Garowe has a long highway that runs north and south for about 750 km (466 miles). This highway connects major cities like Bosaso and Galkayo in the north with towns in the south.

In 2012, the Puntland Highway Authority (PHA) finished fixing the main road between Garowe and Galkayo. They also started a project to improve the large Garowe–Bosaso Highway. There are also plans to build new roads that connect coastal towns to the main highway.

In 2014, the Puntland President started building a new highway that connects the presidential palace in Garowe to other parts of the city. This project was paid for by the Puntland government. The goal is to make it easier for people and goods to move around the city. In 2015, more new paved roads were opened in Garowe. The city government plans to pave all of Garowe's streets.

In 2015, a project called the Sustainable Road Maintenance Project was launched. This project helps fix and maintain the highway between Garowe and Galkayo. It also trains local construction workers to improve their skills.

Air Travel

Garowe has its own airport, Garowe International Airport. It is about 12 km (7.5 miles) from the city center. The airport officially opened in 2010. Its construction was a joint effort between the government and private companies. The airport aims to meet international air travel standards.

In 2015, there were meetings to choose companies to build a new airport in Garowe. The Kuwait Fund is helping to pay for this project.

Sports in Garowe

Mire Aware Stadium is a large sports facility in Garowe that can hold over 15,000 people. In 2010, it hosted the Somali National Football Tournament. This was the first time this national football competition was held outside of Mogadishu since 1987.

News and Media

Many media organizations are based in Garowe. Puntland TV and Radio has offices in the city.

Radio Garowe, which is connected to the news website Garowe Online, is also located here. In 2013, it opened another radio station in Bosaso. Radio Daljir, Puntland's largest radio station, also has a studio in Garowe. Its radio network reaches most of Puntland.

Places to Stay

Entrance to the Meka Hotel in Garowe.

Garowe has several hotels and guest houses. One of them is the Meka Hotel, located downtown.

Garowe's Neighborhoods

Garowe is divided into several administrative areas, or neighborhoods:

1da August
Hantiwadaag
Hilaac
Hodan
Horseed
Israac
Waaberi
Wadajir

Sister Cities

In 2014, the Garowe Municipality announced plans to become a sister city with Gebze in Turkey. This means the two cities would work together and share ideas.