Azania (Somalia)
Azania (Somali: Azaaniya, Arabic: أزانيا), officially the Republic of Azania (Somali: Dawladda Azaaniya), was a self-proclaimed autonomous state of Jubaland in southern Somalia that existed from 2011 to 2013. A group of Somali politicians proclaimed the creation of Azania on 3 April 2011 in Nairobi, with Mohamed Abdi Mohamed as its President. The state's main intentions were to contest al-Shabaab, which largely controlled Jubaland.
Azania
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| Capital | Dhobley Garbahare | ||||||||
| Largest city | Dhobley, Jamame, Kismayo | ||||||||
| Official languages |
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| Demonym(s) | Somali | ||||||||
| Government | Presidential democracy | ||||||||
• President | Mohamed Abdi Mohamed Gandhi | ||||||||
| Establishment | |||||||||
• Proclaimed | 3 April 2011 | ||||||||
• Dissolved | 15 May 2013 | ||||||||
| Currency | Somali shilling (SOS) | ||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) | ||||||||
| UTC+3 (not observed) | |||||||||
| Calling code | +252 (Somalia) | ||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | SO | ||||||||
| Internet TLD | .so | ||||||||
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The map shows the territories (blue) claimed by Azania. | |||||||||
The Government of Kenya supported the creation of Azania to create a buffer state between Kenya and Somalia, and to train and legitimize Azanian militias to fight against al-Shabaab in Jubaland. Kenya further launched Operation Linda Nchi in October 2011, sending in the Kenya Defence Forces to combat al-Shabaab in Jubaland.
Various players in Jubaland, contested the Government of Azania's legitimacy. Azania had little de facto control over its territory between al-Shabaab, Kenya, and other Somali militias. Azania disappeared from notice after delegates formed a new Jubaland government on 15 May 2013, with Raskamboni Movement leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe as President.