Hundreds of residents, lawmakers and traditional leaders have staged a protest in Beledweyne against the Hirshabelle administration and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's federal government, as opposition grows over regional leadership and political representation in Hiiraan.
BELEDWEYNE (Somali Report) – Hundreds of people took to the streets of Beledweyne, the capital of Somalia's Hiiraan region, to protest against the Hirshabelle state administration and the federal government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, amid growing opposition to the regional leadership and its political arrangements.
The demonstration was attended by prominent traditional and political figures, including Hiiraan traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan, lawmaker Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, and several other members of parliament representing the region.
Among those present were lawmakers Abdinasir Haji Shirwac, Abdirisaq Abdullahi Macalin, Abdirahman Gurey and Mohamed Abdullahi Buraale, alongside hundreds of local residents.
Addressing the demonstrators near the wall of Hiiraan General Hospital, Ugaas Yusuf urged residents to take part in what he described as an effort to safeguard the country and defend the interests of their region.
He said 13 young people had previously played a role in what he described as saving the country, calling on the population to unite behind a broader effort to protect Somalia and Hiiraan.
"As you know, 13 young people saved this country. Now, we need to save Somalia and Hiiraan together, with everyone involved and in greater numbers than before," the traditional leader said.
"We will not return to the path we opened yesterday. Those who are absent will join us. Let us work for unity and security and prevent anything that threatens our community," he added.
Lawmakers addressing the gathering issued strong warnings to individuals they accused of undermining the interests of the people of Hiiraan, insisting that those responsible would be held accountable.
Abdirisaq Abdullahi Macalin, known as Ciid, said anyone causing harm to the local population would face accountability and called on those he accused of interfering in the region's affairs to leave.
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"This region belongs to you. You cannot tolerate someone taking advantage of your future for personal gain," he told the crowd.
"When this process is over, everyone causing harm to these people will be held accountable. They should leave while they are still in good health. Otherwise, we will resist them, and the people will establish an administration of their own," he said.
Another lawmaker, Abdinasir Haji Shirwac, urged the federal government to listen to the grievances of Hiiraan residents, warning that continued disregard for their demands could lead to further confrontation.
He argued that the people of the region had not received the political rights and benefits they expected from the federal government despite their contributions to state-building and the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
Shirwac also complained that infrastructure damaged by militant attacks had not been adequately rebuilt, questioning the benefits local communities had received from years of fighting against the group.
The protest comes amid growing political tensions in Beledweyne over the Hirshabelle administration and the process through which its leadership was selected.
Ugaas Yusuf has previously announced plans to convene consultations among the clans inhabiting Hiiraan to discuss the region's political future and its relationship with the Hirshabelle administration.
Preparations are under way for the proposed consultations, which are expected to begin in the coming days, potentially opening a new chapter in the dispute over political representation and governance in the region.
The developments highlight mounting challenges facing Hirshabelle, one of Somalia's federal member states, as disagreements over political representation and the legitimacy of regional institutions continue to fuel tensions.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
