BELEDWEYNE (HOL) - Elders in the central Somali region of Hiiraan have boycotted another round of inter-regional state formation conference with the neighboring Middle Shabelle region, in latest standoff related to the initiative being pushed by the Somali president.
The council of the regional elders earlier snubbed to attend the conference which was held in Jowhar, the regional capital of Middle Shabelle region, accusing Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of
breaking promises related to their attendance to the talks.
“The way they are managing the process is wrong and pushed by a hidden political agenda which is being planned in contrast to the interest of the people in the region.” said Ugas Abdirahman Ugas Abdullahi, one of the region’s clan leaders at a meeting in Beledweyne, the region’s capital.
The development had dealt a potential blow to the president’s efforts, seen as the best chance to form an inter-regional state for the neighboring regions.
No comment could be reached from Somali government on the development which underscores challenges facing its efforts aimed at spreading the new federalism system initiative across the country.
Political analysts have earlier pointed out complexities surrounding the state's formation process, given lack of consensus, mistrust and rivalry among clans in the two regions.
The elders have earlier set tough terms on their endorsement for the formation of an inter-regional state with its neighbouring Middle Shabelle region, demanding the allocation of the proposed state's
capital and conference's venue to their region, a suggestion dismissed by its neighboring region.