Hiiraan elders declare new conditions on state formation conference as PM intervenes in talks

Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid accompanied by ministers of interior and information has been holding talks with the elders who deserted talks on regional state formation process, since yesterday when his delegation arrived in Baladweyne town.

The Premier held closed door meeting with the nine sultans who lead clans living in Hiraan region.

According to Goobjoog News correspondent in the town, the elders told the prime minister that the government must reconsider the formula of distribution of delegates for the state formation conference which collapse in January.

Hiiraan elders have set tough terms on the formation of regional state with its neighboring Middle Shabelle region, demanding that their region being undivided since independence is senior and therefore should be allocated a higher number than Middle Shabelle, correspondent said.

Somali government aims to reconcile Hiaraan and Middle Shabelle clan elders following a misunderstanding that brought to a halt the ongoing state formation convention in Jowhar.

Today’s position seems to take a different turn from the March 7 joint communique with Middle Shabelle elders where the two agreed on a common understanding that the main obstacle was the Federal government which it accused of interfering with distribution of delegates.

The elders had accused the government of unfair distribution of clan delegates and ‘ignoring the value and respect of both regional clan elders’.
“We the clan elders of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, have come together today, 7th March, 2016, and decided collectively to boycott the above mentioned conference,” read the joint statement release then in Jowhar.

Information minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye said “Time was running out” for building the federal state for Hiiraan and middle Shabelle regions.

Middle Shabelle and Hiiran state would be the second to be formed in the recent times after the conclusion of the Adado Conference in July which saw the creation of Galmudug State.