Hirshabelle Vice President Yusuf Hagar Dabageed stated that elections cannot be held in the Hiran region without a prior political agreement and consensus, warning anyone attempting to conduct elections in the region’s areas.
He highlighted that the Hirshabelle electoral process requires broad consultation involving political and civil society stakeholders, noting that elections cannot be held—even in a single village in Hiran—without a mutual agreement.
He asserted that the ongoing electoral process in Hirshabelle cannot continue in its current form, adding that those attempting to hold elections without a political agreement will bear responsibility for the consequences.
This statement comes amidst escalating political tension regarding the Hirshabelle electoral process, particularly concerning who will assume leadership of the regional administration in the upcoming election.
He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of reneging on a prior pledge made to the Hawadle clan—a commitment to consider the clan for the leadership of Hirshabelle when the time for a leadership transition arrived. Dabageed called upon the Hawadle community to deliberate collectively on its political future, stating that the decision regarding this matter requires consultation involving both those living inside Somalia and those abroad.
He stated that President Hassan Sheikh reneged on a promise previously made to the elders and politicians of the Hawadle clan—specifically, that the clan would assume the leadership of Hirshabelle in the upcoming election.
Speaking at a gathering of Hawadle elders and politicians, Yusuf Dabageed noted that a committee led by Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan—comprising politicians, businesspeople, and elders—had discussed this matter with President Hassan Sheikh three months earlier.
He further disclosed that the Hawadle had supported Hirshabelle and pledged not to oppose the federal government; in return, it was expected that the clan would be considered for the regional leadership when the time for a transition arrived.
According to Dabageed, President Hassan Sheikh subsequently met with members of the committee and informed them that the Hirshabelle presidency would be allocated to the Hawadle.
He further revealed that, three months later, the President met individually with him and other politicians, informing them that he had reneged on the promise made to the Hawadle and had instead awarded the Hirshabelle presidency to Ali Gudlawe. The Vice President of Hirshabelle stated that the development came as a surprise to him, as he had expected Hassan Sheikh—whom he described as a leader well-versed in the situation in Hirshabelle—to honor a prior commitment.
“I regarded him as a president who would not break his word,” said Dabageed, noting his belief that the president would not renege on an agreement previously reached with the elders and politicians of the Hawadle clan.
He also mentioned that when he discussed the matter with the president, Hassan Sheikh insisted on going back on the pledge made to the Hawadle.
“President Hassan Sheikh and I parted ways after I said, ‘I have no issue with my maternal kin, but please leave the seat to me.’ I asked, ‘If I secure it, where will you allocate it?’ He replied, ‘I will give it to Ali Gudlawe.’ I told the president, ‘Man, I cannot simply step aside for that. I do not believe there is any other Hawadle figure who would be willing to step aside for him,’” the Hirshabelle Vice President recounted.
Finally, he called upon the Hawadle clan to deliberate collectively on this issue, stating that any decision regarding the clan’s political future requires consultation involving both those living within Somalia and those in the diaspora.
