Somalia: Hiran, Middle Shabelle gear up for federal state

MOGADISHU, Somalia, August 9, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Despite unraveling proposals, Somalia’s Federal Government is pushing ahead with the formation of second federal state for Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions, Garowe Online reports.

Political and community leaders representing the local communities are set to gather for the state formation convention in September according to a deal brokered by Mogadishu-based Federal Government on Saturday.

A 31-member technical committee that will be appointed in fourteen days will oversee the state formation process.

The agreement comes after Hiran and Middle Shabelle Governors –Abdifatah Hassan Afrah and Ali Gudlawe Hussein-respectively clashed on the venue of the conference.

Eleven Ministers hailing from the regions and the two governors were cherry picked as signatories, with United Nations envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Nicholas Kay present.

Mogadishu-based federal government shouldered more responsibilities including financial, logistical and technical support for the endeavor.

“The next step would be capacitating the existing federal states, we encourage competition in development and reconciliation fronts,” Somalia President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said at the ceremony authorizing the fresh push at the heavily fortified compound, Villa Somalia.

He called for national healing and understanding on standing differences across Somalia.

Middle Shabelle Governor Hussein called remarks by Hiran governor ‘hasty’ shortly after stakeholders signed Mogadishu blueprint.

“I think, my friend [Hiran Governor] impelled to swift decision, the people of the two regions will discuss and agree the venue and the regional capital,” he said on Mogadishu-based station.

The deal was struck on the heels of a move in which Somalia President ruled out the possibility of holding popular elections by late 2016.

Critics allege that Somalia President and his allies are making Machiavellian efforts in a bid to score big against rival parties in 2016 elections. 

GAROWE ONLINE