Somalia: HirShabelle leader says reached deal with central Govt

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The President of HirShabelle State, Mohamed Abdi Ware announced Wednesday that he reached an agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia amid political rift, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu, Ware said the standoff between his regional administration and the central government has been ended through dialogue, and the cooperation is now back into normal.

On the other hand, Hirshabelle president called on Somali Federal Government to open talks with the remaining regional leaders to cease the ongoing political deadlock, the worst in the country since Farmajo came to power last year.

The move is said to be part of the central government efforts to dismantle the Council of Inter-State Cooperation (CIC) which was formed last year in Kismayo city by the country's regional leaders.

Recently, the state leader has sternly criticized Villa Somalia of failing to handle Mogadishu security, urging the Federal MPs elected from his region to stay vigilant against Al-Shabaab assassinations.

Waare made this criticism, shortly after leaders of five Somali regional states resolved to suspend relations with the central government, citing interference, lack of political and security progress in the Horn of Africa nation.

There was no immediate response from the federal government to Wednesday's decision by the regional leader. 

In a joint statement issued this week, the presidents of Jubaland, Puntland, Southwest, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle states boycotted a call by President Farmajo to attend a two-day National Security Council forum expected to open 17th Sep.

The meeting has been postponed to an unspecified date due to the current stalemate, which is likely to be another setback for the war-torn nation that is emerging from two decades of conflict. 

The heads of the other 4 Federal States said they will only resume normal ties with Mogadishu until all the agreements reached in the past meetings held in the capital and Baidoa in the past are fully implemented.

GAROWE ONLINE