Hirshabelle Marks Eight Years: A Time of Joy or Misplaced Priorities?

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia (KAAB TV) – This year marks the eighth anniversary for Hirshabelle State, which was born out of the union between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle on October 5, 2016.

The celebrations unfolded in Jowhar, the heart of Hirshabelle, with President Ali Abdullahi Gudlawe, various ministers, regional assembly members, and delegates from the Somali parliament gathered to mark the occasion.

The event on Saturday evening was nothing short of grand. Social media stars, musicians, and political figures from Mogadishu mingled with a multitude of invited guests. Local establishments were bursting at the seams with the influx; hotels reported no vacancy, and eateries ran dry of their stock prematurely. To top off the extravagance, some even whispered of special guests providing “extra services” to politicians from Mogadishu.

Yet, for the ordinary folks, this gala seemed somewhat off-kilter.

Locals have long griped about the state leadership. Those anchored in Jowhar often venture to Mogadishu, seemingly neglecting urgent matters begging for attention, like bolstering security or mending fractured community ties.

“Throwing a flashy party is one thing, but it doesn’t equate to real progress,”

shared Abdi Hussein, a straight-talking Jowhar native.

Meanwhile, Beledweyne finds itself grappling with severe security headaches. The fabled Ma’awisley militia, once seen as defenders against insurgent threats, have become a thorn in the community’s side. Their reign has led to widespread grief, extortion, and a raft of violent deeds, enforced by city roadblocks. Locals, including irate truckers and entrepreneurs, even resorted to striking for over 20 days, protesting road control by the militia which sent food prices sky high.

“We’ve lost faith in Hirshabelle’s leaders. We’re looking to clan elders to step up and dismantle these roadblocks,”

voiced Mustafe Muhumad, a driver.

The Rift of Missed Reconciliation

The region contends with a grim divide as the influential Xawaadle clan remains locked in opposition to Hirshabelle’s rulers, despite holding a deputy position. The clan has even launched their own faction, dubbed Hiiraan State. This clash of loyalties has split Beledweyne into contentious halves.

By July of the following year, local dissenters barred President Gudlawe from entering crucial towns, like Maxaas and Moqokori.

“If Hirshabelle’s leaders did anything right, it should have been fostering peace among quarreling clans. Yet they’ve let that ship sail,”

observed Abdirahman Ali Hussein, a keen Mogadishu political analyst.

Conflict strife rooted in clan allegiances continues to grip Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, driving deadly skirmishes over land and precious resources.

A Worsening Security Conundrum

Clan representation disputes within nascent district councils exacerbate community mistrust. This disarray serves as fertile ground for extremist forces like Al-Shabaab to thrive.

In spite of a significant military pushback in 2022, Al-Shabaab lingers with a grip over vast rural terrains, infringing upon the populace’s freedoms. The group metes out severe punishments against suspected traitors.

The once-quick trip between Buloburde and Beledweyne now turns into an arduous, days-long trek due to Al-Shabaab perils. Many opt to bypass the danger by taking flights through Mogadishu, leaving only the gutsy travelers to brave road journeys.

Insecurity hangs even over Jowhar, Hirshabelle’s nerve center. Government officials and journalists oftentimes choose air travel for safety, skirting Al-Shabaab’s menacing roadblocks.

The travel situation has become so dire that the local airline has called off regular weekly flights. Only pricey chartered journeys, sometimes reaching $3500, offer safe passage.

Grappling with a dire Humanitarian Crisis

Addressing the anniversary gathering, President Gudlawe turned the spotlight on the region’s humanitarian plight. Fluctuations of flooding pose life-threatening risks, he remarked, referencing the recent deluge’s havoc.

Reports by the UN reveal over 70,300 individuals in Hirshabelle were impacted by floods just this year. Torrential downpours paired with the Shabelle River’s overflow in April and May uprooted more than 9,300 residents, claimed four lives, and submerged 5,800 hectares of farmland.

The sole education facility in Beledweyne did not escape the flood’s clutches either, highlighted a UN statement.

“The existence of Hirshabelle is nominal at best,” declared Hassan Alasow, a Beledweyne elder who casts doubt on the state’s effectiveness.

Against these odds, President Gudlawe was keen to trumpet perceived achievements from his term.

“We’ve ensured political calmness. Our regional assembly has remained conflict-free for years, a feat I credit to our diligent parliamentary speaker,” Gudlawe retorted to critiques.

While steering clear of internal political tugs-of-war is commendable, critics argue that Hirshabelle’s central challenges—ensuring security, community reconciliation, and addressing humanitarian needs—remain unsolved as the state sails into its ninth year.

The celebration reveals a state caught between revelry and stagnation, shadowed by unmet promises.