A demonstration was held in the city of Beledweyne, the capital of the Hiiraan region, against the Hirshabelle regional administration and the Federal Government of Somalia, led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Participants in the demonstration included Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan, Member of Parliament Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbaloolshe), MP Abdinasir Haji Shirwa, MP Abdirisaaq Abdullahi Ma’alin, MP Abdirahman Gurey, MP Mohamed Abdullahi Burale, and hundreds of local residents.
Addressing the crowd from a wall at the Hiiraan Regional General Hospital, Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan urged the people to take part in saving the country.
“As you are aware, 13 young men once saved this country. Now, it is our turn—in even greater numbers than before—to save both Somalia and the Hiiraan region. We will not turn back from the path we forged in the past; those who are currently absent will eventually join us. Let us work toward unity and security, and let us stand against anything that poses a threat to our community,” said Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan.
Member of Parliament Abdirisaaq Abdullahi Ma’alin (Ciid) stated that anyone causing harm to the people would be held accountable. He demanded that such individuals leave the area, warning that if they refuse to depart, they will be forcibly repelled. “This region belongs to you; it is intolerable for an opportunist to toy with your future. Once our current mission is concluded, anyone causing harm to these people will be held to account. They should leave now while they are still in good health—otherwise, we will force them out. The people will establish an administration of their own choosing,” said MP Ciid.
MP Abdinasir Haji Shirwac stated that the government must listen to the views of these people; otherwise, they will seek their objectives far beyond their current position. He noted that they have not secured their rightful entitlements through the existing governance structure, nor have they gained any benefit from the struggle they waged against Al-Shabaab—while the facilities destroyed in explosions remain unreconstructed to this day.
In the city of Beledweyne, the capital of the Hiiraan region, plans are underway to oppose the Hirshabelle administration and the process by which its leadership was selected. As previously announced by Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan, consultative meetings involving the clans residing in the region are set to commence in the city in the coming days.
A demonstration against the Federal Government and the Hirshabelle administration has taken place in Beledweyne.
