Bosaso

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea indicates that Ancient Greek merchants sailed to Bosaso, providing notes about the strategic and geographical location of the current Bosaso area, which was known as Mosylon in ancient times.[3]

Overview of Bosaso

Formerly known as Bandar Qasim, Bosaso's population is estimated at about 700,000 residents. It is the third largest city in the country after Mogadishu and Hargeisa.[4] While Bosaso is a melting pot, with residents hailing from all the major clans of Somalia, most of its population is from the Harti confederation of Darod sub-clans.[4]

Bosaso was previously known as Bandar Qasim, a name derived from a Somali trader of the same name who is said to have first settled in the area during the 14th century. It is believed that Qasim's favourite camel was called Boosaas, from which derived the current name of the town. The town was thus first called Bandar Qassim after its founder ("Qasim's town"), then later dubbed Bosaso after its founder's trusted camel. This story is, however, purely speculative.[4] Historically, Bosaso has been a Harti Darod stronghold, and evolved as a coastal outpost of their Sultanates.

Near Bosaso, at the end of the Baalade valley, lies a 2-to-3-kilometre-long (1.2-to-1.9-mile) earthwork.[5][6] Local tradition recounts that the massive embankment marks the grave of a community matriarch. It is the largest such structure in the wider Horn region.[6]

In the mid-18th to early 20th centuries, the city was among the areas ruled by the Majeerteen Sultanate also known Migiurtinia.[4] Later forming a part of Italian Somaliland, Bosaso was represented in the parliament of the succeeding Trust Territory of Somalia by the MPs Ugas Yasin Ugas Abdurahman[7] and Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf.[8][9] The town would eventually be administered through the official Bari region in the post-independence period.

A residential area in Bosaso

Bosaso's total population is estimated at around 164,906 residents (2005 est.).[1][16]

Furthermore, Bosaso is a major port for boats carrying emigrants from within the country as well as adjacent territories across the Gulf of Aden to settle (sometimes illegally) in the Persian Gulf states.[17]

While Bosaso today is a melting pot, with residents hailing from many different parts of Somalia, most of the city's population is from the Harti Warsangali, Majeerten and Dashiishe confederation of Darod sub-clans.[18][19]

The Bosaso horizon

Bosaso city affairs are managed by the Bosaso Municipality, its leadership is appointed by members of the area's 29 District Councilors. The municipal authority is currently led by Mayor Abdisalam Bashiir Abdisalam[20] who succeeded Yasin Mire Mohamud[21] who himself succeeded Hassan Abdallah Hassan in office.[22]

Each of the city's various districts also has its own municipal sub-authorities, complete with a mayor and civil servants.[2]

Bosaso is a city that is experiencing rapid growth. Prior to the Somali civil war, it had a population of under 50,000 inhabitants. Since the conflict, Somalis belonging to the Harti Darod sub-clans began migrating back to their ancestral areas of Puntland.[23] As a consequence of these migrations, Bosaso's population and the local housing industry have grown tremendously.

An Amal Bank branch in Bosaso

In December 2011, a new commercial market opened in Bosaso's northern Dayaha ("Star") neighborhood, near the port. Approximately one-half kilometre (550 yd) in size, it was designed to ensure easy vehicle access. The market is the result of careful planning between Puntland government officials and civil society representatives.[24] In September 2013, Puntland Minister of Fisheries Mohamed Farah Adan also announced that the Ministry in conjunction with the FAO would open a new fish market in the city, complete with modern refrigerators.[25]

Bosaso is home to Golis Telecom Somalia, the largest telecommunications operator in northeastern Somalia. Founded in 2002 with the objective of supplying the country with GSM mobile services, fixed line and internet services, it has an extensive network that covers all of the nation's major cities and more than 40 districts in both Puntland and Somaliland.[26] According to The Economist, Golis offers one of the cheapest international calling rates on the planet, at US$0.2 less than anywhere else in the world.[27] In addition, Netco has its headquarters in the city. Other telecommunication firms serving the region include Telcom and NationLink.

In September 2013, Puntland Deputy Minister of Environment Burhan Elmi Hirsi also announced a plan by the Puntland government to establish a gas manufacturing plant in Bosaso. The new project is part of a broader campaign by the Puntland environmental authorities to avert deforestation and promote alternative sources of fuel.[28]

Cement making machines on the outskirts of Bosaso

The Hafun Fishing Company was established in 1992 in Bosaso.[29][30] It was named after the northeastern port town of Hafun, where HFC also has an office. The firm exports a wide range of fish products, which it mainly sends to partners in the Middle East. The company is exploring additional global markets for its fish goods. It also maintains commercial interests in Puntland's housing market, which are represented by the firm's growing local real estate sales and development division.[29]

Additionally, the Bosaso Tannery is based in the city. A ten-year-old manufacturing, distributing, wholesale and import/export company, it processes wet salted, dry salted, wet blue, limed, pickled, and air/frame dried sheep and goat hides and skin.[31] Principle wet blue exports are to Turkey, Pakistan, India and China.[31] Raw camel hides and sheep and goat skin are also exported to the United Arab Emirates.[32]

Commercial banks serving Bosaso include Amal Bank and Salaam Bank. Salaam Bank provides personal banking and corporate banking services. Its Islamic banking services and facilities include Mudarabah, Murabaha, Musharakah and Istisnaa. Additionally, the bank offers electronic banking, SMS banking, mobile banking and internet debit.[33] In August 2011, the bank also launched an independent (Kaaftoon) service partnering with Golis Telecom Somalia.[34]

The Bender Qassim International Airport in 2007, prior to renovations

Bosaso is traversed by a 750-kilometre (470 mi) north–south highway. It connects major cities in the northern part of the country, such as Galkayo and Garowe, with towns in the south.[35] In June 2012, the Puntland Highway Authority (PHA) launched an upgrade and repair project on the large thoroughfare between Bosaso and Garowe.[36] The transportation body also began rehabilitation work in October 2012 on the central artery linking the city with Qardho.[37] Additionally, plans are in the works to construct new roads connecting littoral towns in the region to the main highway.[36] In June 2014, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali along with Bosaso Mayor Hassan Abdallah Hassan and other state officials also inaugurated a new 5.9-kilometre (3.7 mi) paved road in the city. The construction project leads to the Bosaso seaport, and was completed in conjunction with UNHABITAT. According to Ali, his administration plans to invest at least 23 million Euros in contributions from international partners in similar road infrastructure development initiatives.[38]

The city has a major seaport, the Port of Bosaso. It was constructed during the mid-1980s by the Siad Barre administration for annual livestock shipments to the Middle East. In January 2012, a renovation project was launched, with KMC contracted to upgrade the Bosaso Port's harbor. The initiative's first phase saw the clean-up of unwanted materials from the dockyard and was completed within the month. The second phase involves the reconstruction of the port's adjoining seabed, with the objective of accommodating larger ships.[39]

Besides its busy seaport, Bosaso has a major airport, the Bender Qassim International Airport. In 2008, the Puntland government signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Dubai's Lootah Group, a regional industrial group operating in the Middle East and Africa. According to the agreement, the first phase of the investment is worth Dhs170m ($46.28m) and will see a set of new companies established to operate, manage and build Bosaso's free trade zone and sea and airport facilities. The Bosaso Airport Company is slated to develop the airport complex to meet international standards, including a new 3.4-kilometre (2.1 mi) runway, main and auxiliary buildings, taxi and apron areas, and security perimeters.[40] In December 2014, the foundation stone for a new runway was also laid at the airport. The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is now slated to upgrade the airport's existing gravel runway, pave it with asphalt, and convert it from 1.8 to 2.65 km (1.12 to 1.65 miles) in accordance with the code 4C operations clause.[41]

Entrance to East Africa University's Bosaso campus

Bosaso has a number of academic institutions. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 74 primary schools in the Bosaso District. Among these are the Iftin School, Alfurqan, Umul-Qura and Garisa.[42] Secondary schools in the area include Hamdan, Shafi'i, Ugaas Yasin, Najah, Bosaso and Haji Yasin.[43]

Tertiary education is provided by Bosaso College (BC),[44] as well as the Puntland Nursing Institute (PNI). East Africa University (EAU) also has a Bosaso branch, one of its seven campuses in Puntland.[45] Additionally, the Sam Greathouse School of Modern Technology (SG-SMT) has been working with the local government to construct a large scale dial-up network linking Bosaso to other northern Somali cities, including Berbera and Las Anod.

Biyo Kulule is a hot spring located southeast of the city, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) outside the city.

Mareero located (25 kilometres (16 mi) eastern direction of Bosaso, it is known for its white sand beach.

Ga’a, Laag, Karin, Yalho among other places all are considered as places to visit.

Biyo Kulule

Bosaso is home to a number of private media outlets. Radio Daljir, Puntland's largest radio station, has its main headquarters in the city. The broadcaster's network of 7 FM transmitters reaches most of Puntland as well as part of the neighboring Galmudug region to the south. Also centered in Bosaso with its studios in Garowe is the Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), Puntland's oldest and second largest private radio station. Additionally, Horseed Radio, Al Xigma, and One Nation Radio have headquarters in the city.[46] In May 2013, Radio Garowe likewise launched a new FM station in Bosaso.[47]

The city also has its own private television channels and studios, the Eastern Television Network (ETN TV) and SBC TV.[46]

Bosaso is subdivided into sixteen administrative districts.

Mayors Yasin Mire Mohamud and Betsy Hodges signing sister city agreement in 2016

On 12 August 2016 Mayor Yasin Mire Mohamud of Bosaso and Mayor Betsy Hodges of Minneapolis jointly signed the memorandum of understanding that formalizes the Sister City relationship, the agreement was previously approved by Minneapolis council later embraced by Bosaso local council.

Country	City
United States	Minneapolis[48]

• Garowe-Bosaso Highway
• Somali Architecture

• "The Weekly Review". The Weekly Review. Stellascope Ltd. 1993. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
• Bosaso - Coordinates

• Bosaso Municipality
• Bosaso, Somalia