HirShabelle and Galmudug Elections Stir Fresh Political Tensions in Somalia

Ali Guudlaawe, imcumbent HirShabelle regional president

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — Hundreds of people took to the streets in the central Somali city of Beledweyne on Wednesday to protest planned elections in HirShabelle state, amid growing political tensions over the electoral process.

The demonstration was organised by political figures opposed to the candidacy of HirShabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein, who was recently issued a candidate card by the Justice and Unity Party (JSP).

Protesters said they rejected what they described as a one-sided electoral process being pursued in HirShabelle and called for an arrangement agreed upon by all political stakeholders.

The protest came as members of the Hawadle clan have in recent months pushed for the presidency of HirShabelle. Political sources have said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had previously promised to hand the position to the clan after Gudlawe's term ended, but opponents now accuse him of backing away from that understanding.

The dispute comes as the federal government faces broader disagreements with political groups and local stakeholders over the organisation of elections in Somalia's federal member states.

Meanwhile, Galmudug began a rerun of its presidential election on Wednesday, with JSP candidate Liiban Shuluq widely expected to secure the presidency after emerging as the dominant candidate in the contest.

However, voting in Balanballe was disputed after the Tawfiq Party rejected the holding of the election there, highlighting continued disagreements over the electoral process in Galmudug.

The disputes in Beledweyne and Balanballe reflect wider political divisions over elections in HirShabelle and Galmudug, with opponents accusing the federal government of supporting particular candidates and seeking to influence the electoral process.

GAROWE ONLINE