The Vice President of the Hirshabelle administration, Yuusuf Axmed Hagar ‘Dabageed’, stated that he will continue fulfilling his duties until an inclusive political agreement is reached to resolve the ongoing conflict within the Hirshabelle administration.
Dabageed stated that he will hand over office only when the relevant stakeholders agree on a new political framework to manage the state’s situation, at a time when controversy surrounds the Hirshabelle electoral process and the approach to the transitional phase.
He also noted that traditional elders of the Hiiraan region and other community sectors have opened a consultative forum in the city of Beledweyne to discuss the political future of Hirshabelle.
This forum aims to allow various factions to deliberate on the existing dispute and formulate a joint perspective on the administration’s political framework.
The Vice President characterized the Beledweyne consultative forum as an opportunity to seek a political solution to end the conflict, calling on all relevant stakeholders to participate in the consultations to establish an inclusive governance framework.
Dabageed criticized the electoral process planned to take place in Jowhar, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle.
He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his team of attempting to control the electoral process without reaching a political or social consensus with the concerned parties.
He argued that the Jowhar election framework does not comply with the Federal Constitution of Somalia or the Hirshabelle Constitution, noting that the role of the community and clans in determining their political representation cannot be ignored.
The dispute surrounding the Hirshabelle election stems from differing perspectives on how the administration should be constituted and who should play a role in determining its political future.
Dabageed’s statements demonstrate that continued consultation and a political agreement involving all concerned stakeholders remain necessary.
Dabageed called on Somali politicians and international partners to support the Beledweyne consultative conference, urging them to assist efforts aimed at reaching an agreement to manage Hirshabelle’s transitional phase.