{Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions of Central Somalia have embarked on a process of merging into a state within the larger Somalia.}
The development is part of the ongoing process of federalising Somalia as enshrined in the country’s provisional constitution.
The landmark signing ceremony was held on Saturday at Villa Somalia, the State House in Mogadishu, with the governors of the two regions at hand to out their signatures to the merger agreement.
Governor Abdulfatah Hassan Afrah signed for Hiran region whereas Governor Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlaawe initialled for Middle Shabelle.
Present at the ceremony was Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke and Deputy PM Mohamed Omar Arte.
The United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) were also represented.
Speaking on the occasion, Somali President Mohamoud said, “What we are today witnessing is another event that shows how power is being decentralised and shared.”
“This signing ceremony…..is a demonstration that organised authorities will be responsible for the states and accountable to the federal government,” he added.
Autonomous
Somalia has chosen a federal system, and the provisional constitution allows two or more regions to merge to form a state.
In 2013, Jubaland was formed out of three regions – Lower Juba, Middle Juba and Gedo.
The Interim Southwest Administration was formed in 2014 through the merger of Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle regions while Galmudug state was established in July 2014 out of Mudug and Galgadud regions in Central Somalia.
In 1998, politicians in north-eastern Somalia formed Puntland state which remains largely autonomous but has not ruled out being part of a future federal Somalia.
However, Somaliland which was formed in 1991 in the north-western region of Somalia declared its independence and does not with to rejoin the other Somalia. It consists of five regions – Awdal, Northwest, Togdher, Sool and Sanaag.
However, the international community has refused to recognise Somaliland as an independent state.
Those within who actively advocate for unity with the rest of Somalia are labelled as ‘unionists.’
{{Africa Review}}
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