AFCAD, HIIRAAN — Ma’awisley fighters belonging to the Hawadle clan in Afcad, Hiiraan region, have publicly expressed opposition to any election process they say has not been agreed upon by local communities and traditional leaders.
The Ma’awisley fighters reportedly gathered at a public meeting in Afcad, where they declared that they would not accept an election being conducted in Hiiraan without broader consultation and agreement among political leaders, traditional elders and community representatives.
The gathering comes amid growing political tensions surrounding the electoral process in Hiiraan, where disagreements have emerged over how future elections should be organized and which stakeholders should participate in the decision-making process.
According to reports from the area, the Ma’awisley fighters have aligned themselves with the position of traditional leadership within the Hawadle community. Their reported stance is that major political decisions affecting Hiiraan should be preceded by consultations with traditional elders, community representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
Afcad is one of the settlements under Jalalaqsi District in Hiiraan. The area has also been associated with local Ma’awisley forces involved in security operations and efforts to confront Al-Shabaab in parts of the region.
The latest development comes amid broader disagreements in Hiiraan over elections, governance and political representation. Local leaders and community figures have called for dialogue and consensus before major political decisions are implemented.
The political dispute could increase tensions among local communities and political actors if an agreement cannot be reached through dialogue.
It remains unclear how the Federal Government of Somalia, Hirshabelle authorities and other political stakeholders will respond to the position announced in Afcad.
Further consultations among traditional elders, political leaders and community representatives are expected as efforts continue to address disagreements surrounding the electoral process in Hiiraan.
