In March 2014 the Somali National
Army, working alongside AMISOM forces, liberated Warsheikh district from Al
Shabaab. Warsheikh is a historically-important
coastal district located 60 kilometres north of Mogadishu in the Middle
Shabelle region of Somalia. Warsheikh has cemeteries of many Somali Sufi Saints
and traditionally was home to numerous Sufi Scholars who enjoyed the respect
and love of the Warsheikh community and the whole of Somalia.
As one of the newly liberated
districts, a temporary, caretaker administration for Warsheikh was formed through
a district structure consisting of District Commissioner (DC), Vice-DC and a
Police Commissioner. In May 2014, coordinating with the Ministry of Interior and
Federalism (MoIF), the Warsheikh DC was one of the district officials to participate
in the caretaker administration training programme.
Following a joint planning
session in Mogadishu with the Stability Fund and USAID-funded TIS programme, in
June 2014, along with officials of the MoIF, we visited Warsheikh district to
carry out a preliminary assessment.
During our sessions with the
Warsheikh community and district administration several priorities were
identified. Support to foster economic growth was prioritised, as well as basic
services. And so, in addition to support for the local fishing industry,
provision of safe drinking water and solar street lighting were selected for
immediate investment.
The Stability Fund and MoIF,
together with Warsheikh District Administration, is signing a Memorandum of
Understanding to formalise agreement on the support to be provided in Warsheikh
district. Now it is time for the real work to begin: drilling boreholes,
providing equipment to fishing cooperatives and installing solar streetlights
will be our focus over the next several months.
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