Wednesday August 16, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Former Somali Prime Minister and ex-president of the Puntland administration, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas, has urged the federal government to address the concerns of the people in the Hiiraan region.
In an interview with a local television channel on Tuesday, Gas stated that President Hassan Sheikh should visit the region to engage in discussions with local politicians. President Mohamud had already invited former Hiiraan region governor Ali Jeyte for talks in Mogadishu, but Jeyte declined the offer.
"Today, our government is fragile, and every tribe has power. So it is necessary to be approached these people and listen to their concerns about the government."
The former president of the Puntland administration also underlined that President Hassan Sheikh, currently in Dhusamareb city, could easily travel to Beledweyne town to meet Ali Jeyte and other politicians.
"What is the problem if President Hassan Sheikh goes to Ali Jeyte and simply asks him, 'Brother, what is your concern?' If Ali makes it difficult to come to Mogadishu, the president should go and meet him," Abdiweli Gas explained.
However, two months ago, Hirshabelle President Ali Hussein Guudlawe dismissed Ali Jeyte Osman, the governor of the Hiiraan region, and appointed Abdullahi Ahmed Maalin Sufurow as his replacement. Governor Sufurow has not officially assumed office as Jeyte refuses to step down, and local residents have reportedly elected him as the interim President of Hiiraan State, an administration not recognized by the Federal government.
Jeyte has been at odds with the leadership of the Hirshabelle administration over a proposal to centralize tax collection from the Hiiraan region. He firmly believed that such centralization would hinder ongoing efforts against al-Shabab by reallocating crucial resources away from the fight against the militant group.