Sacked Hiiraan governor declares region’s split from Hirshabelle state

Dismissed governor of Hiiraan region Ali Jeyte has declared his region’s split from Hirshabelle state following his removal from governorship by the leader of Hirshabelle state Ali Gudlawe.

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

Jeyte has been appreciated by many as a hero in the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists for his leadership in the battlefronts since the beginning of the anti-terror offensive in Hiiraan region last August.

He was also credited for mobilising hundreds of clan-based vigilantes known as Macawiisley who were crucial in liberating vast territories in central and southern regions.

On Sunday, Jeyte told reporters that Hiiraan is “severing ties with the Hirshabelle administration”, adding that its residents were never happy with the merger in the first place.

He also indicated that he will engage the local community in spearheading the formation of an “independent Hiiraan state”, threatening to ban anyone associated with Hirshabelle state from entering Hiiraan.

This comes after a shocking late Saturday move by Gudlawe to replace Jeyte with Abdullahi Ahmed Surufow.

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

A group of lawmakers from Hiiraan on Sunday rallied behind Jeyte terming his dismissal as “illegitimate”.

Speaking to reporters, MP Malik Abdalla said Hirshabelle state was a “prank episode that has come to an end”.

Analysts are worried that the dispute will divert attention from the fight against Al-Shabaab militants and potentially reverse military gains made against the group in the past couple of months.