from mamassan clan, one of the components of the somali tribe issas, ismaïl omar guelleh is the grandson of guellé mohamed, better known as guelleh batal, one of the signatories of the "agreement franco of august 30, 1917, which ratifies the "free transfer to the french government of the coasts, harbors, harbors, islands and territories occupied from time immemorial by the issa tribes". in recognition, guelleh batal obtained from the french administration the position of recruiter on behalf of the cfe.