The House of Representatives of the Hirshabelle Regional State has re-elected Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe as the leader of the administration, while Abdifatah Hassan Afrah was elected as his deputy, following an election held in the city of Jowhar.
Ali Guudlawe won the election for the leadership of Hirshabelle, securing the votes of 81 members of the House of Representatives. His re-election allows him to lead the administration for the next five years.
Meanwhile, Abdifatah Hassan Afrah won the position of deputy leader, receiving 79 votes, while the other candidate, Abdifatah Bashi Mohamed, received 16 votes. A total of 97 members cast their votes for the deputy leadership position, with two ballots being declared invalid.
The election proceedings were attended by government officials, members of both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, and other distinguished guests.
Ali Guudlawe’s re-election drew messages of congratulations from various politicians and opposition figures hailing from the Hirshabelle region, who expressed their hope that the new leadership would succeed in fulfilling its duties. Somalia’s former Minister of Internal Security, Abukar Islow Duale, sent his congratulations to Guudlaawe, praying that God would ease the burden of the responsibility entrusted to him once again.
Islow Duale also urged the new leadership to prioritize social unity and genuine reconciliation, particularly for those harboring political grievances or other social concerns.
“I advise the new leadership to work in a spirit of unity and to strive toward fostering true reconciliation among the people of Hirshabelle, especially those who have grievances,” said Islow Duale.
Similarly, Member of Parliament Abduqadir Osoble Ali extended his congratulations to Guudlaawe, expressing his hope that he would work toward the development, peace, reconciliation, and unity of the Hirshabelle community.
