Galkayo


Galkayo.
Galkayo is the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia.
The city of Galkayo is divided into two distinct administration areas.
Geographically Galkayo town is divided into four main quarters called Garsoor, Horumar, Israac, and Wadajir.
Historically, during the military regime led by Barre, all government infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, the police commission, administration premises, and banks were in one part.
Following independence, Galkayo was made the center of the Galkayo District. The city has grown considerably in recent times and serves as a commercial hub. According to the UNDP it had a population of 750,667 in 2018.

History

Following the independence of Somalia in 1960, Gaalkacyo 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 region. Nearby settlements include to the east Godad, to the northeast Bali Busle, to the north Halobooqad, to the northwest Beyra, to the west Xera Jaale-bayra, to the southwest Saaxo, to the south Laascadale, and to the southeast Arfuda. The largest cities in the country most proximate to Galkayo are Hobyo, Garowe and Qardho. 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.

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, Hormar, Israac is part of Puntland., and Wadajir districts respectively.
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 masjids. The city also offers numerous social services such as hospitals, petrol stops and police stations, with the former Somali Army barracks kept in good condition and renovated.
Moreover, Galkayo is a hub of calligraphic art, serving as a training ground of sorts for local visual artists. Elaborate murals and phrases in Arabic and English adorn the walls of the city's many office and shop buildings.

Demographics

It has an estimated population of 245,000 inhabitants as of 2015. Somalia Clan tensions in the area have historically been high. Puntland areas of the city such as Israac, Hormar and Garsoor neighborhoods of Galkayo is primarily inhabited by Somalis from the Umar Mahmoud sub clans Majeerteen, Carab Salah, mohamed ali and muse Ali sub clans Leelkase clans. The Leelkase, and Majeerteen are mainly the dominant clans in many parts of Galkayo. Three of the four quarters in the city, Israac, Horumar and Garsoor, controlled by Puntland, accounts for majority of the population in Galkacyo.
Neighborhood of Wadajir in southern area of the city is mainly inhabited by the Sa'ad Habar Gidir, a Hawiye clan. The Saleban Abdalle sub-clan of the Dir are well represented.

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 ; Al-Qudus in Horumar; and Barkhadle in Garsoor, built in honour of the 13th century scholar and saint Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn. Puntland secondary schools in the area include Haji Ali Bihi, Cumar Samatar Secondary School, 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 University of Science and Technology, Galkayo University, and Mudug University. East Africa University also has a Galkayo branch, one of its seven campuses in Puntland. Additionally, the public Galkayo Vocational Training Centre and the privately owned Mudug Vocational Training Center provide technical training.

Sports

Galkayo is home to Abdullahi Issa Stadium, a sporting facility which is named in memory of Abdullahi Issa, 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.

Transportation

Air transportation in Galacyo is served by the Abdullahi Yusuf Airport, operated by Puntland and Oshaco International Airport operated by Galmudug.
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.

Media

Various media organizations are based in Galkayo. These include Radio Daljir, Radio Galmudug and Radio Codka-Mudug. Radio Gaalkacyo, 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 ostriches.

Neighborhoods

Galkayo consists of the following neighborhoods: Israac, Horumar, Garsoor and Wadajir.

Notable residents