MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a politically significant meeting in Mogadishu on Tuesday with senior traditional leaders from the Hawadle clan, as negotiations over the future leadership of Hirshabelle State entered what sources described as a decisive phase.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the meeting focused on the political future of Hirshabelle, including the restructuring of the regional administration, the allocation of key leadership positions, and efforts to forge a political agreement capable of securing broad support ahead of an expected leadership transition.
The talks reportedly centered on power-sharing among Hirshabelle’s principal political stakeholders, with participants stressing that the next administration must command the confidence of the communities that underpin the state’s political structure.
Sources said Hawadle traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan presented President Hassan Sheikh with what participants described as a firm political position. The Ugaas reportedly argued that the presidency of Hirshabelle should be held by a member of the Hawadle community and that the clan should retain the authority to nominate its preferred candidate without external interference.
People briefed on the meeting told Barrow Show that President Hassan Sheikh responded positively to the proposal and expressed a willingness to pursue a political understanding. According to the sources, the president said responsibility for implementing any eventual agreement would remain with his office as consultations continue with other political actors.
The meeting comes at a critical moment for Hirshabelle, where discussions over the formation of the next regional administration have gathered momentum amid expectations of significant political changes. The negotiations are widely viewed as central to maintaining stability, strengthening cooperation between the Federal Government and Hirshabelle, and resolving longstanding disputes over political representation and power-sharing.
Political observers say the outcome of the consultations could have far-reaching implications for the balance of power within Hirshabelle and for relations between Villa Somalia and influential political constituencies in the state. They note that any durable settlement is likely to require an agreement acceptable to both the Hawadle and Abgaal communities, whose cooperation has historically been regarded as essential to the stability and governance of Hirshabelle.
The discussions also underscore the continuing influence of traditional elders in Somalia’s political process. Clan leaders remain key participants in negotiations over leadership arrangements and political settlements, particularly in the country’s federal member states, where consensus among major communities often determines the success of government formation.
Neither Villa Somalia nor the Hirshabelle administration had issued an official statement on the reported meeting at the time of publication. However, analysts believe the consultations could shape the next phase of negotiations over Hirshabelle’s leadership and play a significant role in determining the state’s political trajectory in the months ahead.
