Somalia's Hirshabelle State presidential race heats up
Africa
By
Fred Kagonye
| Jul 17, 2026
The race for Somalia's Hirshabelle State presidential elections is heating with several candidates expressing interest for ythe post.
Among them is former senior government official Osman Mohamed Adawe who officially declared his candidacy by unveiling an ambitious agenda centred on security, reconciliation and economic transformation.
Adawe made the announcement during a ceremony in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu attended by senior Federal Government officials, current and former political leaders.
Others at the event are elders, intellectuals and representatives from the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.
Speakers at the event hailed Adawe's public service record and leadership experience, describing him as a seasoned administrator capable of steering Hirshabelle towards political stability and economic growth.
READ MORE
Oil falls as Trump pledges economic war on Iran
Scrap smuggling pushes local manufacturers towards shutdown
Government outlines policy path for Kenya's growing telematics sector
World Bank sanctions e-Citizen founder over fraudulent Somalia deal
Reprieve for 213 Lavington Club as court suspends Nema's closure order
New AI push seeks to cut deployment time from months to days
Engineers urge full implementation of the Technology Act
Givans Odawa: Agronomist turning bees into money making machine
Entitlement Vs financial literacy: When celebs, content creators turn to followers for help
Banks ditch hustlers for Treasury bonds amid worsening debt crisis
Launching his manifesto, Adawe outlined five key priorities for his administration: fostering reconciliation and unity among communities and strengthening security through intensified operations against Al-Shabaab.
Others are expanding economic opportunities through agriculture, livestock and fisheries; establishing an independent and accessible justice system; and improving essential public services, including education, healthcare, electricity and clean water.
"The first priority of my administration will be the liberation of the two regions so that we can move forward with development programmes," he said.
"Al-Shabaab still controls several areas in both regions. It is therefore essential to liberate these communities, restore freedom of movement and create the necessary conditions for infrastructure development and the delivery of essential services."
He also promised a departure from the current Hirshabelle administration, saying his government would prioritise accountability, inclusive governance, reconciliation and equitable distribution of resources across the state.
Adawe's entry into the race comes at a time when Hirshabelle is viewed as strategically important to Somalia's security and economic recovery.
The state is home to vast agricultural land and has significant potential in livestock, fisheries and trade, sectors that are expected to drive regional growth once security improves.
The political developments are also being closely watched in Kenya, whose commercial ties with Somalia have continued to deepen.
Cross-border trade between the two countries supports thousands of livelihoods with Kenya investing in securing the country that has long been bogged by insecurity challenges.
Adawe's candidature is expected to inject fresh momentum into the race for the Hirshabelle presidency, with the outcome likely to influence both Somalia's federal politics and regional economic integration in the Horn of Africa.