Where do Somali people live in Eastern Africa?

The Somali people are historically and traditionally located across the Horn of Africa. They occupy the entirety of Somalia, as well as specific regions in neighboring countries:12

• Somalia: They make up the overwhelming majority of the population, with various clans and clan families distributed across the country’s northern, central, and southern regions.1
• Ethiopia: They inhabit the Ogaden region.12
• Kenya: They reside in the northeastern part of the country.12
• Djibouti: They occupy the southern part of the country.12

While these areas constitute their traditional homeland, decades of civil war have led to significant displacement. Today, many Somalis live as refugees or émigrés in neighboring countries, including Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as further abroad in places like Yemen and the United States.2