Iskushuban – Italian administration building

Courtesy of Panoramio Google Maps

Location according to Google Maps +10°17’7.02″, +50°14’4.44″

I visited this town in 1991, as part of a “post” civil war needs assessment mission to  the north-east of Somalia. It is an oasis in the middle of nowhere. There are two sets of springs, on the top and bottom left, the water from these springs then flows eastwards, to the right. Using a low man made weir some of the water is channeled off to the side to feed an area of date palms, which are off the screen to the right.  The Italian fort is situated on the bluff in the middle of the fork, with the town behind it to the left

A colleague and friend of mine from the 1980s. Dr Ahmed Ismael Jama, was born in this town

The word “iskashuban” means “self-pouring” i.e. a waterfall. Perhaps in better times