Somalia president endorses Ali Gudlawe for Hirshabelle leader

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has chosen incumbent Hirshabelle leader Ali Gudlawe to become the next president of Hirshabelle State, making Gudlawe the only candidate competing on behalf of the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), Hirshabelle Vice President Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabaged said on Friday.

Dabaged said Mohamud had promised him years ago that he would make him the regional leader, but recently called him for a meeting and told him that he had reneged on that promise and chosen Ali Gudlawe instead to become the next president of Hirshabelle.

The Hirshabelle vice president said the decision came as a surprise and a shock, particularly because of the role played by the Hawadle clan, to which he belongs and which he described as the president’s maternal uncles.

Dabaged said the Hawadle clan had fully taken part in the president’s military campaign against Al-Shabaab, carrying a massive burden and suffering major setbacks, with most of its constituencies recaptured by the insurgents.

He expressed dismay at the president’s decision to turn his back on his maternal uncles at a time when, according to Dabaged, they had sacrificed everything for Mohamud to consolidate power and appear strong.

Dabaged said he was particularly shocked that a Somali president would renege on such a promise and turn away from his maternal uncles after the sacrifices they had made in support of him.

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