Kelafo

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Kelafo
other_name = Au Calif
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pushpin_label_position = left
pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Ethiopia
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Somali
subdivision_type2 = Zone
subdivision_name2 = Gode
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population_as_of = 2005
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population_total = 14,242
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timezone = EAT
utc_offset = +3
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latd=5 |latm=37 |latNS=N
longd=44 |longm=08 |longEW=E
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elevation_m = 233
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footnotes = Kelafo (also transliterated Qelafo and Au Calif) is a town in eastern Ethiopia. Located in the Gode Zone of the Somali Region, this town has a longitude and latitude of coord|05|37|N|44|08|E and an elevation of 233 meters above sea level. Kelafo is served by an airport (ICAO code HAKL).

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this town has an estimated total population of 14,242, of whom 7,522 were males and 6,720 were females. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table B.4] It is the largest town in Kelafo woreda.

History

Kelafo had its start in 1923, under the leadership of Fitawrari Semmo. The town had been practically subjected to a siege by rebellious Somali, supported by Italian border soldiers. However, Sultan Orfa of Kelafo arranged the supplies so that the inhabitants did not die from hunger; in memory of this, the settlers tried to rename Kelafo "Wechefo Ketema". Ten years later, Dr Agge visited the town in September, and found it to be the hottest place he had experienced in the Ogaden. Kelafo was situated on a little hill on the southern side of the Shebelle River, with a new motorable road and a small ferry. At the foot of the hill there was a settlement, with a palisade, a moat and two gates towards the river. [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/k/ORTKED.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 December 2007)]

During the Italian invasion, Sultan Olol Diinle ordered the town burned.

During October 1961, the Kelafo was flooded with three meters of water. The Ethiopian Red Cross was amongst the organizations providing aid. The town experienced another flood on 7 May 1968, when a dam on the Shebelle collapsed, covering Kelafo with about 1.5 meters of water, which forced the 3,700 residents to evacuate.

After an arrest of Nassir Allah members in 1963, a few avoided capture and made their way to Kelafo where they hoped to find arms. Armed with hand guns, two of this group attacked the policemen guarding the bridge over the Shebelle, killing three and taking two rifles. This act led to a flight of activists and chiefs before the expected reprisals.

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