The regional state of HirShabelle has announced plans to hold elections for 13 House of the People (Lower House) seats.
According to HirShabelle’s State Elections Implementation Team (SEIT), the elections would take place in Beledweyne.
The announcement follows a series of meetings between HirShabelle’s President Ali Gudlawe Hussein and clan elders.
Recently, HirShabelle has been the scene of intense clashes and tension between government forces and rebels led by General Abukar Haji Warsame Huud.
Gen. Huud’s faction does not recognize HirShabelle state.
The clashes and increasing tension threatened elections for the federal parliamentary seats in the region.
The seats SEIT listed include HOP#003, HOP#006, HOP#008, HOP#015, HOP#022, HOP#031, HOP#032, HOP#061, HOP#068, HOP#074, HOP#086, HOP#109, and HOP#274.