Monday May 5, 2025
Jowhar (HOL) — Hirshabelle regional state President Ali Guudlawe accused Somali federal lawmaker Osman Xadoole of working to destabilize the regional administration during a speech on Monday at the opening session of the Hirshabelle parliament in Jowhar.
Guudlawe alleged that MP Xadoole, who was elected from a Hirshabelle constituency, has been publicly undermining the regional government and creating roadblocks to governance.
"From the day you became a parliamentarian, you've been working against the administration. I say this to Osman Xadoole: stop causing problems. Your history is known," said President Guudlawe.
He also criticized Xadoole for allegedly operating unauthorized checkpoints that inconvenience local residents, particularly in Balcad, Warshiikh, and Raage Celle districts. "It's shameful for us in Hirshabelle that people say they're being stopped at Osman Xadoole's checkpoint," Guudlawe added. "We won't tolerate illegal roadblocks or actions that hinder our people."
The president praised residents of Raage Celle for what he described as defending their community after Xadoole's troops reportedly left the district at night. He called on the MP to reconsider his actions and responsibilities as a representative of the region.
MP Xadoole has previously been a vocal critic of Guudlawe's leadership, accusing the Hirshabelle administration of inefficiency, political conflict, and failure to effectively combat Al-Shabaab. He has argued that the government is out of touch with local realities.
The exchange comes as federal and regional forces, supported by local militias and international partners, have intensified military operations in Middle Shabelle in recent weeks. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the region in March to assess the progress of these counterterrorism efforts.