Hiiraan Online
Monday, July 20, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) ----Somali government’s plan towards the proposed Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions integration remained mysterious, enshrouded by an apparent political consideration on the controversial issue until Monday as the country’s president affirmed his government was committed in the formation of an inter-regional state for the two regions.
Speaking to Somali diaspora communities via teleconference, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government would seek a fair balanced power-sharing for the clans who inhabit in the two neighboring regions to form a well-integrated regional administration.
Mr. Mohamud’s remarks come as politicians from Hiiraan region have expressed their disgruntlement about the proposed plan, warning the scenario would further polarize the two regions along clan lines.
Political analysts also predicted complex political challenges ahead should the government goes ahead with its decision of forming an administration at the present time due to clans mistrust and rivalry.
During his teleconference call, Mr. Mohamed covered a wide range of topics about his administration as he receives series of questions, mainly focusing on the security and the irregularly paid security forces’ welfare.
Answering a question about the obstacles of the country’s tax collection system after more than two decades of war, he briefly said “Somalia needs qualified tax collectors.” He invited Prof. Hussein Warsame who teaches taxation and financial accounting at the University of Calgary in Canada to come to Somalia and help the country overcome problems of collecting taxes in Somalia.
The president who answered varieties of questions also commented on the long-running border dispute with Kenya, saying “If someone claims your shirt, you should quietly vindicate yourself, so Kenya has claimed our land and we shall seek our right through legal channels”.
Last week, Somalia’s government has filed a case against Kenya at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) court in a bid to end the border dispute, saying the dispute risks deterring multinational oil companies from exploring for oil and gas offshore East Africa.
Kenya has recently identified eight new offshore exploration blocks available for licensing, and all but one of them are located in the contested area, according to the Kenyan media.