Family and clan
Leysan (Laysaan, Mirifle, Rahanweyn)
The Leysan (Laysaan) are a Mirifle clan of the Rahanweyn, in the Sideed (eight) group. They live in Bay and Bakool, and are the majority in Baidoa's Berdale neighbourhood. The EASO says they were the dominant Mirifle clan before 2018. The EUAA records clashes in 2024 between Leysan fighters and South West State forces in Bardaale.
Name and family tree
The Leysan are a clan of the Mirifle, part of the 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) |
| EASO 2021 | "The Leysan (Mirifle/Sideed)" (EASO, Somalia: Security situation, 2021) |
| EUAA 2025 | "Leysan (Mirifle/Rahaweyn)" (EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1) |
| ACLED 2025 | Rahanweyn > Mirifle > Leeysan, with Leeysan Banaani and Leeysan Bari (ACLED clan actor list, September 2025) |
See the Rahanweyn tree.
Main branches
Abbink lists two Leysan lines, Leisaan Hersi and Leisaan 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 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).
| 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) |
See Bay, Bakool and 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, 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).
- 2018 to 2021. The EASO says a federal intervention in Baidoa shifted power "in favour of the Harin clan" (EASO 2021). See 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).
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.
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).
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).
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.
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
Sources
- Abbink, The Total Somali Clan Genealogy, 2009 · hdl.handle.net
- EASO, Somalia: Security situation, 2021 · coi.euaa.europa.eu
- EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1 · coi.euaa.europa.eu
- ACLED clan actor list, September 2025 · acleddata.com
- ACCORD, Clans in Somalia, 2009, p. 11 · ecoi.net
- Wikipedia, Mukhtar Robow, backup · en.wikipedia.org
- UK Home Office, CPIN Somalia: clans, 2019, quoting EASO 2014 · ecoi.net
- EUAA 2025, Bay · euaa.europa.eu
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