# Hirshabelle regional leadership dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hirshabelle-regional-leadership-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-21T19:12:14.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

Political tension has escalated in Somalia’s Hirshabelle region following allegations of broken political agreements. Hirshabelle Vice President Yusuf Hagar Dabageed accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of reneging on a pledge to support a Hawadle clan candidate for the Hirshabelle presidency during the upcoming transition. Dabageed claimed the President instead decided to back the outgoing president, Ali Abdullahi Hussein Gudlawe.

In response, Hawadle community leaders, including elders and politicians, have formally rejected the upcoming leadership election unless a prior political agreement is reached. Following consultative meetings in Beledweyne, clan representatives stated that no election lacking community consensus or political agreement can take place in the Hiiraan region, including its districts and villages. This rejection follows moves by the Justice and Unity Party to renominate incumbent President Ali Abdullahi Hussein Gudlaawe, prompting calls from Hawadle intellectuals and elders to suspend electoral processes until inclusive power-sharing arrangements are established.

In Beledweyne, the atmosphere has grown increasingly unstable. The arrival of Hawadle traditional leader Ugas Yusuf Ugas Hassan and a delegation of Somali lawmakers has coincided with reports of increased security and military movements. While the exact nature of these deployments remains unconfirmed, social media footage showing weapons and military vehicles has circulated, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding the electoral dispute.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Hawadle clan rejects Hirshabelle election without political agreement

Hawadle clan leaders in Somalia have rejected the Hirshabelle leadership election unless a political agreement is reached, amid reports of increased military movements and tension in Beledweyne.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hawadle-clan-rejects-hirshabelle-election-without-political-agreement

### 2026-09-17: Hawadle leaders demand halt to Hirshabelle election process in Hiiraan

Hawadle leaders in Somalia have called for an immediate halt to the Hirshabelle election process in Hiiraan, demanding an inclusive administration based on community consensus and power-sharing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hawadle-leaders-demand-halt-to-hirshabelle-election-process-in-hiiraan

### 2026-09-11: Hirshabelle Vice President accuses President Hassan Sheikh of breaking leadership pledge

Hirshabelle Vice President Yusuf Hagar Dabageed accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of reneging on a promise to grant the Hawadle clan the Hirshabelle presidency.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hirshabelle-vice-president-accuses-president-hassan-sheikh-of-breaking-leadership-pledge

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Cite as: Hirshabelle regional leadership dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hirshabelle-regional-leadership-dispute