Somalia: Armed militias disrupt the ongoing Hir-Shabelle conference in Jowhar

JOWHAR, Somalia- Militias loyal to VP candidate for the new Hir-Shabelle states were reported to have taken over the ongoing conference in Jowhar town in Middle Shabelle region, Garowe Online reports.

According to eyewitnesses attending the conference, said that armed militias loyal to Ali Hasan Taakow have disrupted the event and forced delegates and officials to leave the meeting hall.

Takow spoke to the media after the incident and said “the state formation process is unfair and some candidates were refused to take part in the elections for the state leadership.”

He later blamed Somali government leaders-term ended in September 10- for interference and “hijacking” the ongoing process to back-allied candidates for the state leadership.

VP candidate Takow stated that the conference will not resume at this stage and noted that the process should be fair with no interference and corruption.

Hir-Shabelle state formation conference was expected to conclude in the coming days with the election of new President and Vice President of Hir-Shabelle state.

Hiiran-Middle Shabelle is the only remaining Federal member state to be formed, recurrent differences and mistrust between the traditional elders and Somali government led to the collapse of previous talks aimed to facilitate  the creation of Somalia’s last Federal state.

GAROWEONLINE