Tuesday June 27, 2023
Beledweyne (HOL) - Former governor of Hiiraan, Ali Jeyte Osman, who was previously dismissed from his position, has reportedly been elected as the interim President of the Hiiraan State administration.
This announcement came after a gathering held in Beledweyne on Sunday, attended by federal lawmakers Mohamed Abdukhadir Mohamed and Mohamed Abdullahi Buralle, as well as various community representatives. Ahmed Osman Abdalla Inji was elected as the interim vice president of the Hiiraan State administration.
During the event, Ali Jeyte delivered a brief speech expressing his commitment to the new administration's goals. He stated, "We are uniting all the communities of Hiiraan to establish their own administration. Hiiraan has been neglected for far too long. I am leading Hiiraan in the fight against Al-Shabaab. I have made significant contributions to security, and if elected, I will do even more."
In response to the announcement, Abdullahi Ahmed Maalin Sufurow, the appointed governor of the Hiiraan region, held a press conference in Beledweyne where he criticized members of the Somali Parliament, Mohamed Abduqadir Mohamed and Mohamed Abdullahi Buralle.
Sufurow claimed that Ali Jeyte had obstructed the rebuilding of the administration he had previously announced for Hiiraan State over the past three years.
"I did not expect him to announce the new administration just eight hours after my appointment. Ali Jeyte and my fellow parliamentarians will not let this matter rest," Sufurow added.
Governor Sufurow also addressed the issue of Ugas Khalifa Airport in Baledweyne, stating that it remains open and that no individual possesses the authority to close it. He mentioned that Ali Jeyte had issued an order allowing only ATMIS and Khat transportation aircraft to land at Ugas Khalif Baledweyne Airport.
The dismissal of Ali Jeyte as Hiiraan governor by Hirshabelle President Ali Guudlawe had led to tensions, with Jeyte contesting his removal and announcing the formation of a new Hiiraan State administration.