Somali PM arrives in Beledweyne amid stalemate in inter-regional state formation talks

Hiiraan Online
Wednesday March 23, 2016

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BELEDWEYNE (HOL) – Somalia’s prime minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke arrived in the central town of Beledweyne on Tuesday, in an effort to push for further talks with the region’s elders who dismissed further talks on an inter-regional state formation process unless their conditions were met.

Somali government which aims to complete adopting the federalism system throughout the country before the horn of Africa nation heads for presidential elections which is due mid this year signaled its readiness in convincing elders to return to negotiating table.

Mr. Sharmarke’s visit follows multiple attempts by a government delegation led by interior minister Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein who thus farfailed to meet elders during their week-long stay in the region in a bid to overcome impasse in the formation of an inter-regional state for Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.

“During his visit here, the prime minister visit will hold talks with the elders of the region to move ahead the interregional state formation process.” Mohamed Abdi Hayir, Somalia’s information minister told reporters in Beledweyne town on Tuesday.

Despite criticism by elders that the government mishandled the initiative, citing vagueness in running the process which they said fell short of their expectations, Somali government promised of ensuring a ‘fair’ and ‘comprehensive process, in an effort to form an ‘inclusive’ regional state.

The region's council of elders also accused Somali president of 'breaking' promises which it said resulted in their objection towards attending the proposed state's formation conference which was held in Jowhar, the regional capital of Middle Shabelle region last month.

However, political analysts remain pessimistic that the ongoing efforts would bring an immediate solution, pointing out complexities surrounding the proposed state's formation process, given lack of consensus, mistrust and rivalry among clans in the two regions.

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