Korahe Zone (Somali: Qorahay) is one of eleven zones in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, in the central Ogaden. Its administrative centre is Kebri Dehar, Somali Qabridahare, the region’s third-largest town. At the 2007 census the four woredas that then made up Korahe counted 312,713 people; the zone now has ten woredas after later subdivisions.
| Somali name | Qorahay |
| Region | Somali Region |
| Administrative centre | Kebri Dehar (Qabridahare) |
| Woredas | 10 |
| Population, 4 census-era woredas (2007) | 312,713 |
| Same woredas (2022 projection) | 457,562 |
Woredas (Districts)
Korahe has ten woredas. Four of them existed at the 2007 census and carry published figures; the other six were carved from those four afterwards.
| Woreda | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Kebri Dahar | 136,142 | 200,228 |
| Debeweyin | 70,102 | 102,287 |
| Shilavo (Shilabo) | 57,590 | 83,701 |
| Shekosh | 48,879 | 71,346 |
| Boodaley | created after 2007 | — |
| Ceel-Ogadeen | created after 2007 | — |
| Higloley | created after 2007 | — |
| Kudunbuur | created after 2007 | — |
| Laas-dhankayre | created after 2007 | — |
| Marsin | created after 2007 | — |
Major Towns
Korahe is more urban than most Ogaden zones: about 20 per cent of residents lived in towns at the 2007 census, and 47,607 of them were counted as urban. Kebri Dehar is the main centre and has the zone’s airport.
| Town | Woreda | Population or position |
|---|---|---|
| Kebri Dehar | Kebri Dahar | 29,241 (2007); 45,900 (2022 proj.) |
| Shilabo | Shilavo | 6°05′N 44°46′E |
| Shekosh | Shekosh | 7°22′N 43°55′E |
| Debeweyin | Debeweyin | Woreda seat |
| Boodaley | Boodaley | Woreda seat |
| Marsin | Marsin | Woreda seat |
| Higloley | Higloley | Woreda seat |
| Kudunbuur | Kudunbuur | Woreda seat |
Geography
Korahe sits in the middle of the Ogaden plain, at roughly 400 to 600 metres. It is bordered on the north by Jarar Zone, on the north-west by Erer Zone and Nogob Zone, on the south-west by Shabelle Zone, on the east by Dollo Zone, and on the south-east by Somalia’s Galmudug state.
The Fafan valley reaches its lower course here, running past Kebri Dehar before losing itself in the sands; it flows only after rain. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, with acacia and commiphora bush over red sandy soils and limestone outcrops. Rainfall is under 300 mm a year in most of the zone, in two short seasons, and drought is frequent.
Demographics
Korahe is the most linguistically uniform zone in Ethiopia. The 2007 census recorded Somali as the first language of 99.98 per cent of residents, and 99.98 per cent gave their ethnicity as Somali. Muslims made up 98.92 per cent of the population. Pastoralists accounted for 80 per cent.
The four woredas that formed the zone in 2007 counted 312,713 people, and Central Statistical Agency projections carry them to 457,562 by 2022. That is a projection, not a count; Ethiopia has held no census since 2007. Figures above 900,000 that circulate for Korahe do not match the published woreda series and should be treated with care.
Economy & Local Life
Livestock is the economy. The 2003 livestock census counted 690,891 goats, 362,778 sheep, 115,498 camels, 26,301 cattle and 2,504 asses in the zone. Herds move seasonally between the Fafan valley and the eastern rangeland, and stock is sold onward through Somali ports.
Kebri Dehar holds the main market and serves as the supply point for the central Ogaden. A small amount of flood-recession cropping happens along the Fafan after heavy rain. Korahe also sits over part of the Ogaden Basin gas province, and exploration around Kebri Dehar and Calub has been a recurring source of local employment.
Getting There
Kebri Dehar has an airport with scheduled Ethiopian Airlines flights from Addis Ababa, which is the fastest way in. By road, the route runs from Jijiga south through Degehabur to Kebri Dehar, about 400 km on gravel, or from Gode north-east, about 190 km. Onward roads reach Shilabo, Shekosh and Warder, all unsurfaced and slow after rain.
FAQ
Where is Korahe Zone?
In the central Ogaden, in eastern Ethiopia’s Somali Region, between Jarar Zone in the north and Shabelle Zone in the south-west.
What is the capital of Korahe Zone?
Kebri Dehar, Somali Qabridahare.
How many woredas does Korahe have?
Ten: Boodaley, Ceel-Ogadeen, Debeweyin, Higloley, Kebri Dahar, Kudunbuur, Laas-dhankayre, Marsin, Shekosh and Shilavo.
What is the population of Korahe Zone?
Its four census-era woredas counted 312,713 in 2007 and are projected at 457,562 for 2022. The zone has since been subdivided, and no newer census total exists.
What language is spoken in Korahe?
Somali, reported by 99.98 per cent of residents at the 2007 census.
Does Kebri Dehar have an airport?
Yes. Kebri Dehar Airport carries scheduled domestic flights from Addis Ababa.