BELEDWEYNE, (HAN) – For the fourth consecutive day, chaos has gripped Ugaas Khalif Airport in Beledweyne, leaving passengers stranded and unable to depart due to an escalating dispute over airport revenues between local and regional officials.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of civilians scheduled to travel remain stuck outside the airport gates, as heavily armed security personnel loyal to rival authorities have blocked access.
According to local sources, the standoff centers on a bitter rivalry between Hiiraan Regional Governor Muse Salad Wehliye and Hirshabelle State Vice President Yusuf Ahmed Hagar “Dabageed.”
The two leaders are accused of battling for control over revenue collected at the airport, with little regard for the needs of the community.
Residents expressed frustration, accusing both sides of putting personal financial interests ahead of public services and undermining the smooth operation of the airport.
The crisis intensified on Tuesday when armed groups aligned with the rival officials positioned heavy weapons around the facility, raising fears of armed clashes and further instability.
Djiboutian troops serving under the African Union mission were reportedly forced to intervene in an attempt to de-escalate tensions, amid growing embarrassment for both the Hirshabelle administration and the federal government in Mogadishu.
Local elders condemned the standoff as a “shameful power struggle” that has disrupted the lives of ordinary citizens. Many passengers remain stranded in Beledweyne, unable to travel due to the closure.
The confrontation comes at a sensitive time, as Beledweyne struggles with insecurity, displacement, and recurring political instability that has frequently pitted local leaders against the Hirshabelle administration.
Critics argue that the Hirshabelle state government—established in 2016 without broad local consensus—has consistently failed to address the concerns of the Hiiraan population, fueling political friction and weakening governance in the region.
