Ali Abdullahi Osoble, the former head honcho of Hirshabelle, voiced serious concerns during a chat with Ha Noolaato TV. He thinks it’s high time to bid farewell to Hirshabelle, pointing to the bubbling tensions. Credit: Ha Noolaato TV
Beledweyne (AX) — The ex-top dog of Hirshabelle, Ali Abdullahi Osoble, has urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to wave goodbye to the Hirshabelle region’s administration.
“Folks in Hiiraan have given Hirshabelle the cold shoulder, and as its initial leader, I can assure you it’s biting the dust,” Osoble candidly shared in a Ha Noolaato YouTube interview. He’s holding current President Ali Guudlawe’s “one-man extravaganza” responsible for alienating influential communities like the Hawadle clan with his drawn-out rule.
“Guudlawe’s reign of discord has sparked widespread discontent, as seen in the large festivals heralding Hiiraan State. These gatherings mirror the collective indignation of Hiiraan’s people.”
Right from its inception in 2016, Hirshabelle was born amidst controversy. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) stitched together Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle into one Federal Member State (FMS), despite firm pushback from Hiiraan’s leaders advocating for autonomy. The hasty and exclusionary process sowed seeds of discontent that have persisted. In its rush to hold elections, the FGS prioritized political quick fixes over genuine consensus, further stoking the flames of dissatisfaction in Hiiraan. The locals lament the electoral shenanigans and federal meddling.
The pot boiled over in 2020 when Guudlawe, a native of Middle Shabelle’s Abgal clan, took the presidential seat. Hiiraan’s prominent Hawadle clan perceived this as a breach of a gentlemen’s agreement: Jowhar was recognized as the capital of Hirshabelle, while the Hawadle were to hold the presidency—an arrangement intended to balance power but ultimately deepened fault lines over time.
Apparently, there were harbored misunderstandings. Hawadle leadership anticipated perpetual control over the presidency, whereas the Abgal saw this as a short-term deal, open for renegotiation after four years.
The friction in Hiiraan didn’t just simmer in political speeches. Resistance against Hirshabelle’s governance ignited action, notably through the Hiiraan Rescue Council, guided by veteran General Abukar Warsame ‘Huud.’ The militia made it mission impossible for President Guudlawe to conduct his inauguration in Beledweyne for over a year, demanding Hiiraan’s independence.
“The only fix is for President Hassan Sheikh to dismantle Hirshabelle and craft a scheme that caters to everyone’s needs,” Osoble insisted, appealing for a presidential decree to disband the regional state.
Since its creation, Hirshabelle has wrestled with significant hurdles. Internal rifts sabotaged revenue collection and governance. Persistent disputes over clan representation in parliament and security forces have further crippled the administration.
Compounding these issues is Al-Shabaab’s lurking menace, still a rugged presence in swathes of Hirshabelle.
Osoble’s plea for dissolution underlines Hiiraan’s broader frustrations. The unofficial “Hiiraan State” has spawned from years of feeling sidelined and unseen by Hirshabelle’s ruling gang.
His remarks trail massive celebrations last week in Beledweyne, Mogadishu, and around the world for the self-proclaimed Hiiraan State. These jubilations, marking Hiiraan’s unofficial detachment from Hirshabelle, have become a banner for those unhappy with the existing regime. Yet, Hiiraan State’s mounting support comes with baggage. Last week’s celebration saw skirmishes between Hirshabelle loyalists and Hiiraan State troops in Beledweyne, claiming the life of one soldier and leaving another wounded. The brawl, instigated by Hirshabelle’s attempt to rain on Hiiraan State’s parade, is the freshest chapter in a history of unrest.
Savvy political observers assert that Hirshabelle’s steadiness in the long haul hinges on healing rifts between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle denizens. Resolving tangles over power-sharing, clan representation, and the site of the state capital is key to charting a viable political course.
Osoble argues that Hirshabelle’s framework is broken beyond repair, haunted by lingering issues, failed governance, and broad dissent, especially in the Hiiraan region. For him, dismantling the establishment is the lone remedy.
“President Hassan Sheikh birthed Hirshabelle via a decree. Now, it’s only fitting to bury it with another decree and birth a system that truly serves everyone,” Osoble elaborated.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
