Former NISA chief challenges Hassan Sheikh's proposal to make Beledweyne Hirshabelle capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Former Somali intelligence chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe has strongly criticised President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's proposal to make Beledweyne the capital of Hirshabelle state, arguing that the president lacks the legal authority to decide on an issue he described as fundamental to the region's political future.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Sanbaloolshe responded to a speech delivered by Mohamud in Jowhar on Saturday, saying the capital of Hirshabelle was not a gift the president could offer to the people of Hiiraan region or a matter that could be settled through political promises.

He argued that the decision over the regional capital and Hirshabelle's political future should be reached through negotiations among communities in the state, particularly those from Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.

Sanbaloolshe also accused the federal government of interfering in matters constitutionally belonging to state administrations, saying decisions concerning Hirshabelle should be made through an inclusive political agreement among its people.

The former National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) director accused Mohamud of playing a major role in creating the political divisions within Hirshabelle, arguing that the president could not now present himself as the solution to a crisis he had helped fuel.

He further accused the president of ignoring longstanding grievances among residents of Hiiraan, whose concerns have been championed by traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan.

Sanbaloolshe singled out two aspects of the president's speech that he said were particularly problematic.

The first, he argued, was the president's portrayal of the people of Hiiraan, which Sanbaloolshe interpreted as suggesting that the community could not be trusted and required guarantees from others.

He said such an approach risked deepening mistrust rather than addressing the grievances driving political tensions in the state.

The second issue concerned what he described as the blurring of responsibilities between Somalia's federal government and federal member states.

Sanbaloolshe argued that federal interference in regional affairs was undermining efforts to reach a political settlement and build unity within Hirshabelle.

Mohamud's proposal to designate Beledweyne as the state capital comes amid longstanding tensions over political representation, administrative arrangements and the distribution of power between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle.

Hirshabelle, established in 2016, has faced recurring disagreements over its leadership and the balance of political influence between the two regions.

The dispute has gained renewed attention as residents and political figures from Hiiraan continue to press for greater representation and a resolution to their grievances.

Sanbaloolshe called on Hirshabelle communities to independently determine their political future, leadership and the location of their regional capital.

He insisted that any decision must reflect the will of the people and emerge from an inclusive political agreement rather than unilateral declarations by federal authorities.

The federal government has not publicly responded to Sanbaloolshe's latest criticism.

GAROWE ONLINE