By HAN News Desk
BELEDWEYNE — Authorities in central Somalia have agreed that the upcoming regional elections in Hiiraan will begin in Beledweyne, the regional capital, following days of consultations between federal lawmakers from the region and officials of the Hirshabelle state administration.
The agreement, reached after a series of intense meetings and negotiations, marks a significant step toward ending weeks of political uncertainty over where the regional electoral process should officially commence.
According to sources in Beledweyne, the talks were spearheaded by Members of the Federal Parliament representing Hiiraan, including MP Mohamed Abdullahi Buraale, who played a key role in mediating between community elders and Hirshabelle officials.
Lawmakers and local political figures insisted that Beledweyne must host the opening phase of the regional elections, arguing that as the administrative and economic hub of Hiiraan, it was the most logical and symbolic location to launch the process.
“The people of Hiiraan have made it clear that any legitimate election in this region must begin in Beledweyne,” said one of the MPs involved in the talks. “This is both a matter of principle and representation.”
Initially, Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein had planned for the elections to begin in the districts of Mataban and Jalalaqsi, both of which fall under the Beledweyne administrative zone. However, that plan faced strong opposition from Hiiraan’s federal MPs and traditional elders, who viewed it as a political maneuver to sideline Beledweyne’s influence in the region’s decision-making.
The disagreement reportedly stalled preparations for the polls, with some local leaders accusing the Hirshabelle presidency of attempting to weaken Beledweyne’s political weight within the state.
After days of negotiations, both sides reached a compromise to start the process in Beledweyne before expanding it to other districts in Hiiraan. The decision is being seen as a major political victory for local representatives and elders, who have long demanded a greater say in the region’s governance.
Observers say the outcome reflects the growing influence of Hiiraan’s political elites within the broader Hirshabelle framework and could set a precedent for more decentralized decision-making in future state elections.
“The compromise reinforces Beledweyne’s position as the political center of Hiiraan and strengthens local participation in the democratic process,” said a political analyst based in Mogadishu.
As of Thursday evening, the office of President Ali Gudlawe had not yet issued an official statement on the new arrangement, but sources close to the Hirshabelle presidency said a formal announcement could be made in the coming days.
The move is expected to ease tensions that have occasionally flared between Hirshabelle authorities and community leaders in Hiiraan, a region known for its pivotal role in Somalia’s politics and frequent demands for administrative autonomy.
