# Leysan (Laysaan, Mirifle, Rahanweyn)

> The Leysan (Laysaan) of the Mirifle and Rahanweyn: Sideed group, Leysan Bari and Banaani, Bay, Bakool and Baidoa, and conflict records, with sources.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/leysan/
Last checked: 2026-11-13
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Name and family tree

The Leysan are a clan of the [Mirifle](/en/society/mirifle/), part of the [Rahanweyn](/en/society/rahanweyn/). The name is also written Laysaan, Leysaan, Leeysan and Lisan.

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| Abbink 2009 | Rahanwen > Mirifle Siyeed > Medovo > Boqol Daabe > Leisaan Hersi and Leisaan Bari ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| EASO 2021 | "The Leysan (Mirifle/Sideed)" ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| EUAA 2025 | "Leysan (Mirifle/Rahaweyn)" ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Rahanweyn > Mirifle > Leeysan, with Leeysan Banaani and Leeysan Bari ([ACLED clan actor list, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)) |

See [the Rahanweyn tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-rahanweyn/).

## Main branches

Abbink lists two Leysan lines, Leisaan Hersi and Leisaan [Bari](/en/regions/bari/). He places them under Boqol Daabe with the Ma'alim Weyne, Jiron, Reer Dumal, Harau and Garuwale (Abbink 2009, Rahanwen chart).

ACLED codes two Leysan groups, Leeysan Banaani and Leeysan Bari (ACLED 2025). Both sources name a Bari line.

See [Jiron](/en/society/jiron/) for a sister line under Boqol Daabe.

## Where they live

No census counts Somalis by clan. ACCORD notes that Somalis often claim more members than their groups have, "in order to demonstrate strength" ([ACCORD, *Clans in Somalia*, 2009, p. 11](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1193130/90_1261130976_accord-report-clans-in-somaliarevised-edition-20091215.pdf)).

| Place | What the sources record |
|---|---|
| Baidoa | "The Leysan (Mirifle/Sideed) are the majority inhabitants of Berdale" neighbourhood (EASO 2021) |
| Bakool | The EASO lists "Lisan (Laysaan)" among the Rahanweyn groups of Bakool (EASO 2021) |
| Bardaale, Bay | The EUAA places Leysan fighters in Bardaale town, Burhakaba district (EUAA Country Focus 2025) |
| South West State | Wikipedia calls the Leysan "particularly well represented in the South West State" ([Wikipedia, Mukhtar Robow, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukhtar_Robow)) |

See [Bay](/en/regions/bay/), [Bakool](/en/regions/bakool/) and [South West State](/en/states/south-west-state/).

## History on record

- **Before 2018.** The EASO says "previously the dominant clan was the Laysaan" within the Mirifle (EASO 2021).
- **2018.** Wikipedia says [Mukhtar Robow](/en/people/mukhtar-robow/), a Leysan, was arrested while running for South West State president. It says a federal minister from the same Leysan line resigned in protest ([Wikipedia, Mukhtar Robow, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukhtar_Robow)).
- **2018 to 2021.** The EASO says a federal intervention in Baidoa shifted power "in favour of the Harin clan" (EASO 2021). See [Hariin](/en/society/hariin/).
- **2024 to 2025.** The EUAA says the Leysan clashed with Bardaale police and state forces. It gives the cause as "their ambitions to lead the SWS" (EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1).

## Elders and customary law

Senior Somali clan leaders carry titles such as *suldaan*, *ugaas* or *issim*. Their role is "mainly judicial and representative" ([UK Home Office, CPIN Somalia: clans, 2019, quoting EASO 2014](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2002542/Somalia_-_Clans_-_CPIN_V3.0e.pdf)).

In Bay, the EASO says political posts are "carefully allocated to ensure power sharing between the Sagaal and Sideed". The Leysan sit in the Sideed (EASO 2021). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA lists "Leysan (Mirifle/Rahaweyn) versus SWS security forces" in Bardaale town, Burhakaba district, Bay ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)).

The EUAA cites ACLED data for Bay from April 2023 to March 2025. Five incidents "involved both Leysaan Clan Militia and Southwest Special Police Forces" ([EUAA 2025, Bay](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/22-south-west/222-bay)).

The EASO found "no major disputes (or long-running clan conflicts)" in Bay in its 2021 reference period (EASO 2021). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Branch names.** Abbink names Leisaan Hersi and Leisaan Bari. ACLED names Leeysan Banaani and Leeysan Bari.
- **Spelling.** The EASO uses Laysaan, Leysan and Lisan in the same report.

## Read more

- [Mirifle](/en/society/mirifle/)
- [Rahanweyn](/en/society/rahanweyn/)
- [Hariin](/en/society/hariin/)
- [Jiron](/en/society/jiron/)
- [Bay](/en/regions/bay/)

---
I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.