The 18 regions was created by Papa Barre
as a gerrymandering exercise for his Darod clan who got 7 new regions. He understood that the censuses from 1931 to 1975 all showed that darood were a minority, much less than the Hawiye, Isaaq and Rahanweyn
This was the original 8 Regions of Somali Republic before Papa Barre
View attachment 189845
View attachment 189844
The same trick is used by his orphans who make up fake districts like the imaginary Cayn, or breaking up badhan district into 3 to make themselves relevant in Sanaag