​Somalia: Deadlock threatens Hir-Shabelle state formation process

JOWHAR, Somalia- Differences over the selection of parliamentarians for the new Hir-Shabelle state have undermine crucial step to conclude state formation process before mid October, Garowe Online report.

Jowhar city, is hosting the second phase of state formation conference for Hiiran-Middle Shabelle regions, which witnessed the declaration of state capital and flag for the new state.

Somali government is seeking to wrap up the process in the coming week with the selection of new parliamentarians and Speaker who will vote for the new state President.   

Close sources tell Go that a number of clan leaders have boycotted the process of nominating MPs amidst opposition of traditional elders to the conditional women quota imposed by Somali government.  

Somalia’s Interior Ministry official, Yahye Ali Ibrahim, held meetings with regional clan leaders to ease deadlock and push elders to meet schedule’s deadlines.

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