Somalia's caretaker President opens state formation conference

JOWHAR, Somalia– Delegation led by Somalia’s caretaker President Hasan Shaikh Mahmoud have arrived Jowhar city, capital region of Middle Shabelle province, to end challenges stalled state formation process for Hiiran-Middle Shabelle regions, Garowe online reports.

Caretaker President Mohamoud has formally opened state formation conference on Thursday, with the participation of regional clan elders, politicians and government officials. Inside sources confirmed to GO that Hiiran clan elders didn’t attend the conference suggesting disagreement over government interference in the process.   

During the conference, Mahmoud emphasized on the importance of pushing up efforts to facilitate state building process for both regions, as its lagging behind the rest of the country.

“Government is committed to support the conventions and clan elders for both regions must assume responsibilities towards the state building process. I urge stakeholders to exert patience throughout the process as it will come upon many challenges, just like other regional states which had challenges in the past,” Mahmoud said.

Mahmoud opened the conference amid lingering disagreement over the state formation process since the beginning of the year by Hiiran regional elders who opposed government interference over the process. His visit comes after numerous attempts by his government to end political stalemate and secure Hiiran clan elders endorsement to the initiative.

President Mahmoud whose presidential term expired in 10 September has earlier slammed critics claiming that his main motive in the process is to secure support from upcoming MPs from the region for his reelection bid, he described those allegation as “non sense.”

“In the past days oppositions were claiming that my intentions to support state building process for Hiiran and Middle Shabelle is to get involved in the MPs selection process,” said Mahmoud.

The state formation process since initiated was surrounded by challenges given the lack of consensus, mistrust and rivalry clans in the regions.

GAROWEONLINE