Somalia is a federal republic consisting of six federal states and one interim administration. Somalia is further subdivided into 18 administrative regions (gobollada, singular gobol),[1] which are in turn subdivided into districts. One region, Banaadir, is not part of any state.
Puntland is a federal state in the northeast of Somalia. Galmudug is a federal state in central Somalia. Jubaland is a federal state in the south of Somalia.[1] In November 2014, the South West State of Somalia was established.[2] Hirshabelle State was formed in October 2016.[3]
The Federal Parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of autonomous regional states within the Federal Republic of Somalia.[4][5] To this end, the legislature in December 2014 passed a law establishing the Boundary and Federalization Commission.[6] The body is mandated with determining the boundaries of the country's constituent states, as well as arbitrating between these states.[7]
As of 19th October 2023, Somalia is officially divided into 7 federal member states, including the claimed but uncontrolled Somaliland[8][3]
President of Somalia Mohamed Siad Barre established five of these regions in 1974 and 1975 for baised clan reasons, Middle Juba, Lower Juba, Gedo, Bay, and Bakool;[9] Banaadir shrank to consist of only Mogadishu at the same time.[10]
Below are the regions of Somalia, with their capitals shown in parentheses: