Somalia: JSP Endorses Ali Gudlawe for Hirshabelle Presidency as Hiiraan Rejects Election Plan

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The election process being pursued by Somalia’s outgoing government in Hirshabelle and Galmudug has triggered renewed political tensions, after the ruling Somali Justice and Reconciliation Party (JSP) formally endorsed Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlawe as its candidate for the state’s presidency.

The endorsement comes as politicians, traditional elders and residents in Beledweyne, the capital of Hiiraan region, have strongly opposed Gudlawe’s bid for another term.

Opponents have said they will not accept elections being held in Hiiraan unless there is first a political agreement on the electoral process and the future leadership of Hirshabelle.

The dispute adds to growing tensions surrounding the federal government’s plan to hold state-level elections in Hirshabelle and Galmudug, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration faces a broader political dispute over its mandate and electoral plans.

The announcement by JSP has further intensified the political divide in Hirshabelle, where Gudlawe’s administration has faced opposition from influential politicians and community leaders in Hiiraan.

Political figures and traditional elders in Beledweyne have repeatedly called for consultations and an agreement involving key stakeholders before any election is held in the region.

The opposition to Gudlawe’s candidacy also reflects wider disagreements over the political structure of Hirshabelle, particularly the relationship between Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, the two regions that make up the federal member state.

Critics argue that holding elections without securing political consensus could deepen tensions and undermine the legitimacy of any resulting administration.

The federal government, however, has continued to promote an electoral process based on direct voting and has sought to advance elections in several federal member states as part of its broader political agenda.

The dispute in Hirshabelle comes amid a wider confrontation between the federal government and opposition groups over the country’s electoral model, constitutional changes and the timing of national elections.

With JSP now officially backing Gudlawe, the contest for the Hirshabelle presidency is expected to become increasingly contentious, particularly if opposition from Hiiraan politicians, elders and residents remains unresolved.

For now, the central question is whether the federal government and Hirshabelle authorities can reach an agreement with Hiiraan stakeholders before proceeding with the planned vote.

Without such an agreement, opposition figures in Beledweyne have warned that the government could face serious resistance to holding elections in Hiiraan, potentially putting the entire Hirshabelle electoral process at risk.

GAROWE ONLINE