Hirshabelle State is a federal member state of Somalia, established as part of the country’s federalization process. It includes two major regions.
• Hiiraan
• Middle Shabelle.
Its capital is Jowhar, which is in Middle Shabelle.
Historica???? Pre-2016: Background to Federalizationl Background.
After the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the country entered a prolonged civil war and fragmentation. In the 2010s, Somalia began a federalization process under the 2012 Provisional Constitution, aiming to create Federal Member States (FMS) to promote decentralization, peace, and power-sharing.
Before 2016, the regions of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle did not have a unified regional state.
2016, Formation of Hirshabelle State.
• In October 2016, Somalia’s Federal Government officially announced the formation of Hirshabelle State.
• The name “Hirshabelle” is a blend of Hiiraan + Shabelle (from Middle Shabelle).
• On October 17, 2016, Ali Abdullahi Osoble was elected as the first President of the state by the state parliament in Jowhar.
• The establishment was supported by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and the process was facilitated by the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs of Somalia.
2017–2020: Political Turbulence.
• In August 2017, President Osoble was impeached by the Hirshabelle parliament due to accusations of incompetence and failure to unite the state.
• He was replaced by Mohamed Abdi Waare, elected in September 2017.
• The state continued facing internal clan disputes, weak institutions, and security challenges, especially due to Al-Shabaab’s presence in rural areas.
2020–Present: Political Development.
• In 11th November 2020, Ali Gudlawe Hussein was elected as the third President of Hirshabelle.
• Over time, attempts have been made to decentralize governance, strengthen local councils, and coordinate with the Federal Government on matters like elections, security, and reconciliation.
Governance & Structure.
• Hirshabelle has a state parliament, president, vice president, and ministers.
• It’s governed under the Federal Constitution of Somalia and has its own State constitution (still evolving).
• The state is divided into administrative districts numbering to 27 districts, and 2 regions, including fully functional 4 districts with council members elected namely Jowhar, Warsheekh, Balcad and Mahadaay districts.
