Friday June 30, 2023
Beledweyne (HOL) - Members of the Hawadle community in Somalia's Hirshabelle administration are loudly voicing their opposition to the removal of Ali Jeyte Osman, the former governor of the Hiiraan region. The dismissal, orchestrated by Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein, has stoked local tensions and spurred harsh criticisms from Hawadle clan members who believe the decision was abrupt and ill-advised.
Dahir Agoon, a parliamentarian for Hirshabelle, decried the lack of consultation in the decision and criticized the administration for ignoring their community's concerns. "Ali Gudlalawe has shown no intention of addressing our people's grievances and has failed to fulfill any of his promises," said Agoon.
In response to these developments, the Hawadle community issued a sharp retort to President Ali Gudlawe Hussein: "If you don't want us, we don't want you."
The dismissal of Ali Jeyte Osman has been a source of controversy for weeks, further intensifying tensions between the Hirshabelle administration and the Hawadle community.
A Fractured Administration
The conflict traces back to June 18, when Ali Jeyte Osman, then governor of Hiiraan, responded to his dismissal by Hirshabelle's President Hussein by
declaring Hiiraan a Federal Member State (FMS) and banning Hirshabelle officials. Osman, who had gained substantial local and international support for his leadership in the fight against the extremist group al-Shabab, publically rejected his removal and stated that Hiiraan would no longer recognize Hirshabelle's authority.
In the wake of Osman's dismissal, local militia group 'Ma'awisley' blocked main roads in Beledweyne in protest, raising concerns about the future of anti-al-Shabab operations in the region. President Hussein has yet to respond to these developments.
Growing Support for State Independence
The next day, federal legislators from the Hiiraan region rallied in support of Osman,
denouncing his dismissal as "illegitimate" and endorsing his agenda for a separate regional state. This move was met with popular approval, leading to widespread protests in the town of Beledweyne. The situation further fueled doubts about the continuation of the military campaign against al-Shabab.
Osman's leadership had been instrumental in the near-total eviction of the al-Shabab militant group from the Hiiraan region. His sudden removal and the ensuing uncertainty prompted serious questions about the future of counter-terrorism efforts in the area.
New Leadership, New Tensions
By Tuesday, Ali Jeyte Osman had been
elected as the interim President of the newly formed Hiiraan State administration, further heightening political tensions in the region. Abdullahi Ahmed Maalin Sufurow, the governor appointed to succeed Osman, denounced the decision, alleging it was an obstruction to the restoration of Hiiraan State's government.
With the new administration in place, the conflict between Hiiraan and the Hirshabelle administration shows no signs of abating. The dismissal of Osman has resulted in a geopolitical shift that could dramatically alter the political landscape of Hirshabelle State. As tensions escalate, the future of the region remains uncertain.