President of Somalia’s Hirshabelle state replaces regional governor

The President of Somalia’s Hirshabelle state Ali Gudlawe on Sunday replaced Hiiraan region’s governor Ali Jeyte with Abdullahi Ahmed Surufow.

The state of Hirshabelle consists of the regions of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle.

The news comes as a surprise as Ali Jeyte rose to fame since August last year for his heroic leadership in the first phase of the offensive against Al-Shabaab.

As the governor of Hiiraan where the anti-terror offensive began, Jeyte was at the heart of the operations often seen at the frontlines while also helping the government mobilise local militias known as Macawiisley who were crucial in liberating vast territories in central and southern regions.

In April, local media reported of an emerging feud between Jeyte and Gudlawe over Hirshabelle leadership’s proposal of a centralised tax collection plan.