JOWHAR — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held high-level meetings in Jowhar on Saturday with security officials and traditional elders from Hirshabelle State, focusing on security operations against Al-Shabaab and preparations for the country’s planned universal elections.
The visit comes amid ongoing security challenges and governance concerns in Hirshabelle, a state that has faced criticism from some political figures and observers over issues related to administration, service delivery, and institutional effectiveness.
During the visit, the president received briefings from commanders of the Somali National Army on recent military gains against Al-Shabaab and ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region.
Hassan Sheikh praised the armed forces for their commitment and sacrifices in the fight against the militant group, saying their efforts had contributed to protecting civilians and restoring government authority in areas affected by conflict.
The president also met with traditional elders to discuss their role in supporting Somalia’s democratization process and the implementation of universal suffrage elections planned by the federal government.
He commended the elders for their longstanding contributions to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and state formation, emphasizing that cooperation between communities and government institutions would be critical to the success of the electoral process.
Later, accompanied by Hirshabelle State President Ali Abdullahi Hussein, Hassan Sheikh inspected the nearly completed building that will house the Hirshabelle House of Representatives, a project officials say will strengthen the state’s governance infrastructure.
The visit comes as Somalia intensifies military operations against Al-Shabaab while advancing political reforms aimed at expanding public participation in the country’s electoral system. Critics, however, argue that improving security, governance, and public trust in state institutions will be crucial to the success of both the military campaign and the planned electoral process.
Hirshabelle has long been the subject of political controversy since its establishment in 2016. Some politicians, community leaders, and critics argue that the state was formed without broad consensus among all stakeholders and that disputes over power-sharing arrangements remain unresolved.
Critics further contend that the allocation of both the state presidency and the capital city to members of the same clan has fueled grievances among some communities, contributing to recurring political tensions within the state. They argue that these issues have hindered efforts to build an inclusive administration and have remained a source of division since the state’s formation.
Supporters of the administration reject such claims, maintaining that Hirshabelle’s institutions were established through constitutional processes and continue to play an important role within Somalia’s federal system. They argue that the state has made progress in governance, security coordination, and institution-building despite significant challenges.
The debate over representation, governance, and power-sharing remains one of the most sensitive political issues in Hirshabelle, reflecting broader challenges facing Somalia’s federal model as the country seeks to strengthen state institutions and expand democratic participation.
