Region
Galgaduud (Dhusamareeb)
Galgaduud is a region of central Somalia in Galmudug State, with Dhusamareb (Dhuusamarreeb) as its capital and about 845,000 people. Government-aligned forces hold most towns and al-Shabaab holds the south-east, and families face displacement, revenge killings and landmines.
Who lives there
About 844,925 people (IPC, 2026) (EUAA 2026). The region has five districts: Dhusamareb (the capital), Cadaado, Cabudwaaq, Ceel Buur and Ceel Dheer. Several communities live there, and smaller groups have not been well counted (EUAA 2025).
Conflict displaced 11,203 people from April 2023 to March 2025. Cadaado took in 9,710 arrivals, and Ceel Buur had the most people leave (EUAA 2025). About 1,000 more people moved from Dhusamareb to Cadaado district in November 2025 (EUAA 2026).
Work and money
Most rural families herd camels and goats, and towns live by trade. We have not yet found checked figures for wages or prices in Dhusamareb.
Who governs
Galmudug State runs the region from Dhusamareb. A federal-aligned coalition holds Dhusamareb, Guri Ceel, Cadaado, Ceel Dheer, Masagaway, Bahdo, Balanbal, Heraale and Cabudwaaq. Al-Shabaab holds the centre and south-east, including Wahbo, Ceel Buur, Galhareri and Osweyne. Most rural land south of the Guri Ceel to Cadaado road is mixed (EUAA 2026). Local defence groups (Ma'awisley) fight al-Shabaab around Ceel Buur (EUAA 2025).
What people face now
- 28 June 2025: al-Shabaab publicly executed five men in Ceel Buur.
- July to November 2025: revenge killings in Hindheere, where a mother and her three daughters died, and in Balanbal and Guudoole.
- September 2025: an attack on Ceel Dheer was pushed back.
- April 2025 to March 2026: 298 security incidents and 580 deaths (EUAA 2026).
- July 2024: a landmine killed three children in Heraale (EUAA 2025).
Top needs
- Food and water for displaced families in Dhusamareb and Cadaado.
- Income for displaced women and former herders.
- An end to cycles of revenge deaths, through remembrance and recognition.
- Safety for children from landmines and attacks.
- Papers for people fleeing areas held by al-Shabaab.
What we don't know yet
Wages and prices, the names of district officials, the minority groups in the region, and which aid agencies work there. If you know, use "Fix this page".
Sources
Gathered in our research record “Somalia regions”. Wikipedia is used only as a backup.
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