Jowhar (Somali: Jowhar, Arabic: جوهر, Italian: Giohar) is the capital city of Hirshabelle state of Somalia. Jowhar is also the administrative capital of Middle Shabelle region of Somalia.

This article possibly contains original research. (June 2020)

Quick Facts جوهر, Country ...

Jowhar جوهر
City
An aerial view of Jowhar
Jowhar Location within Somalia Show map of Somalia Jowhar Location within the Horn of Africa Show map of Horn of Africa Jowhar Location within Africa Show map of Africa
Coordinates: 2°47′N 45°30′E
Country	Somalia
State	Hirshabelle
Region	Middle Shabelle
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council-Commission
Area
• Total	10 sq mi (25 km2)
Elevation	300 ft (100 m)
Population  (2018)
• Total	520,000
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
Area code	061

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Along with Baidoa, it used to form the joint administrative capital of the Transitional Federal Government, which it captured from the Islamic Courts Union.

The city lies 90 km (50 mi) along a major road north of the national capital of Mogadishu.

During the Middle Ages, Jowhar and much of the surrounding area in southern Somalia was governed by the Ajuran Empire.^[1] The town later came under the administration of the Hiraab Imamate in the late 17th century after the collapse of the powerful Ajuran Empire. At the turn of the 20th century, Jowhar was incorporated into Italian Somaliland. After independence in 1960, the city was made the center of the official Jowhar District.

As part of a 2004 agreement, Jowhar and the town of Baidoa were to form a joint administrative capital of the Transitional Federal Government, sited away from Mogadishu for security reasons. Continued fighting threatened to derail the peace process. However, in July 2005, President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed relocated to the town from his base in Bosaso, moving the process forward and joining Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi, who had already been resident in the town for a month. Part of the parliament became based in Jowhar, while some ministries were established in Mogadishu.^[4] By February 2006, despite Ghedi's security concerns, the two leaders had left to Baidoa, where it was decided the parliament would convene.^[5]

The district had estimated population of 20,000 as of 2018, a survey was done by (UNDP) in 2018 and it is primarily inhabited by Abgal clan.^[6]

On December 27, 2006, the internationally backed transitional government forces, united with Ethiopian troops, recaptured Jowhar from the Islamic Courts Union.^[7]

On May 17, 2009, the Islamist al-Shabab militia took the town,^[8] and imposed new rules, including a ban on handshaking between men and women.^[9]

On December 9, 2012, Somali National Army forces assisted by AMISOM troops re-captured the city from the militants.^[10]

• Italian Somalis
• Maandere
• Railway Mogadiscio-Villabruzzi