Hiiraan Online
Tuesday January 12, 2016
Shuriye Hussein, a spokesman for the region’s traditional council of elders
BELEDWEYNE (HOL)- Elders in the central Somali region of Hiiraan have boycotted the upcoming Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions’inter-regional formation conference, raising prospects of fresh feud and conflict related to the initiative being pushed by the Somali
president.
The elders who have previously agreed to attend the conference which is to be held in Jowhar, the regional capital of Lower Shabelle region accused Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of breaking promises related to their attendance to the talks.
“We decided to stay away because the president broken his promises, therefore considering our people’s displeasure towards it we will not
attend It.” said Shuriye Hussein, a spokesman for the region’s traditional council of elders Monday.
The elders’ refusal to attend the conference had dealt a potential blow to the president’s efforts, seen as the best chance to form an inter-regional state for the neighbouring regions.
No comment could be reached from Somali government on the development which underscores challenges facing its efforts aimed at spreading the new federalism system initiative across the country.
Political analysts have earlier pointed out complexities surrounding the state's formation process, given lack of consensus, mistrust and rivalry among clans in the two regions.
Hiiraan elders have earlier set tough terms on their endorsement for the formation of an inter-regional state with its neighboring Middle Shabelle region, demanding that their region’s capital be picked as the proposed state's capital and conference's venue, a suggestion dismissed by its neighbouring region.