MOGADISHU — Hirshabelle Vice President Yusuf Ahmed Hagar known as ‘Dabageed‘ ’has warned that elections cannot be held in the Hiiraan region without a prior political agreement and broad consensus among local stakeholders.
Speaking Friday at a gathering of Hawadle elders and politicians in Mogadishu, Dabageed said the electoral process in Hirshabelle must involve consultations with political leaders, traditional elders, civil society groups and other relevant stakeholders.
He warned that elections could not be conducted “even in a single village” in Hiiraan without mutual agreement.
“The current electoral process in Hirshabelle could not continue in its present form, and anyone attempting to hold elections without a political settlement would bear responsibility for the consequences,” he said.
His remarks come amid rising tensions over Hirshabelle’s leadership transition and the role of the Hawadle community in the upcoming regional election.
Dabageed has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of reneging on a reported promise that the Hawadle clan would take the leadership of Hirshabelle in the next election. The current Hirshabelle President, Ali Abdullahi Hussein Gudlawe, is from the Abgaal community.
Earlier this month, the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced a new timetable for simultaneous local council and House of Representatives elections in Hirshabelle State, setting polling day for September 30, 2026.
The commission said the new schedule replaces a previous timetable issued on July 25, under which elections had been scheduled for August 20.
Under the revised timetable, the registration committee is expected to begin work and voter cards are due to be distributed on September 16.
The submission and verification of candidate lists for the House of Representatives and district councils are scheduled for September 17.
The final voter list is expected to be announced on September 19, with polling scheduled for September 30.
Dabageed’s warning raises further questions about whether the announced electoral timetable can proceed without a political settlement among Hirshabelle’s key stakeholders.
