Mohamed Abdi Ware elected 2nd President of HirShabelle state

Mohamed Abdi Ware, an agriculturalist has been elected new president  of HirShabelle state in a hotly contested poll which culminated into his win in the third round after garnering 75 votes out of the possible 97.

Ware outpaced his closest opponent Dahir Abdulle Hawale who got 22 votes in the last round as the other six contestants were felled in the first and second rounds.

Ware who previously worked in the Ministry of Agriculture in 1979 upon graduating from Indiana University in the US becomes the second president to lead the nascent HirShabelle state whose first leader Abdullahi Ali Osoble was hounded out barely 11 months into office in a no confidence vote by the state assembly last month.

Ware worked in International Committee of the Red Cross, Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and UNDP and Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications among other assignments.

The leader pledged to implement infrastructure development among them roads and water dams if elected in addition to spearheading peace and reconciliation between communities in the Shabelle regions and Hiiraan. Abdiware also promised internet connectivity in the state besides constructing universities.