Hiiraan Political Crisis Gains Momentum as Traditional Leader Rejects Hirshabelle Election

BELEDWEYNE (WDN) – Political tensions in Somalia’s Hiiraan region are escalating, with traditional leaders and political figures increasingly challenging the legitimacy of Hirshabelle’s recently concluded leadership election. The growing dispute was underscored by a strong declaration from Hawadle traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan and an unsuccessful attempt by senior political figures to negotiate a compromise.

What began as a disagreement over political appointments in Jowhar is increasingly becoming a broader confrontation over Hiiraan’s political representation, participation in Hirshabelle’s administration and the role of traditional leadership.

At a consultative meeting in Beledweyne, chaired by Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan, the Hawadle community announced that it would not recognize the recent election in Jowhar, which returned Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlaawe as Hirshabelle president and elected Abdifatah Hassan Afrah as vice president.

In its communiqué, the community argued that the election lacked legitimacy, meaningful consultation and the consent of the population, particularly the people of Hiiraan.

The declaration presents a direct challenge to the new administration and raises questions about its ability to secure political acceptance across the federal member state.

Traditional Leadership Mobilises Against Jowhar

The Hawadle community has invited other clans in Hiiraan, political leaders, intellectuals and traditional authorities to participate in consultations on the region’s political future.

It insists that decisions affecting Hiiraan must emerge from an inclusive process rather than political arrangements negotiated elsewhere.

To demonstrate support for its position, the community announced plans for a major demonstration in Beledweyne on November 15, under the leadership of Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan. Organisers have called on participants to maintain peace, public order and respect for public property.

The community has also appealed to Hiiraan’s business community and diaspora to provide financial and social support for the ongoing mobilization.

Sanbaloolshe’s Mediation Effort Ends Without Agreement

Meanwhile, an attempt to ease the crisis ended without a breakthrough following a meeting in Beledweyne between federal MP Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe and Hirshabelle Vice President Abdifatah Hassan Afrah.

The meeting, hosted at the residence of businessman Bishaar Afeey, was intended to explore a negotiated settlement. Despite lasting more than an hour, the discussions failed to produce meaningful progress, with both officials maintaining their respective positions.

Afrah reportedly urged Sanbaloolshe to cooperate with the Hirshabelle administration, offering to raise Hiiraan’s grievances with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in an effort to secure a resolution.

Sanbaloolshe proposed a different approach, inviting Afrah to accompany him to meet Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan. The proposal suggested that any meaningful settlement would require direct engagement with the traditional leadership spearheading the opposition.

Sanbaloolshe also reportedly offered to compensate Afrah for financial losses he had incurred as a result of the dispute. However, the proposal did not resolve their fundamental differences.

The meeting ended with an understanding to maintain contact and arrange further discussions, but no agreement was reached on the central issues.

A Test for Hirshabelle’s Political Stability

The developments in Beledweyne present a serious challenge to President Guudlaawe and the federal government in Mogadishu. The rejection of the Jowhar election, the mobilization of traditional leadership and the failure of mediation efforts indicate that the crisis cannot be resolved through negotiations among political officeholders alone.

Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan’s intervention has provided the opposition with a traditional leadership platform around which wider political grievances can coalesce. The November 15 demonstration could offer an indication of the extent of public support for the movement.

The Hirshabelle administration must now confront the underlying questions of political representation, consultation and the relationship between Jowhar and Hiiraan. The federal government, meanwhile, risks deepening the dispute if it endorses the election outcome without addressing the objections raised by the community.

The fundamental question is whether Hirshabelle can maintain political stability when a significant constituency in one of its constituent regions rejects the legitimacy of its leadership. Without credible and inclusive negotiations, the dispute could escalate into a wider political confrontation, threatening the stability of the entire federal member state.

WardheerNews