Ali Jeyte Osman, governor of Somalia’s Hiiraan region, has vehemently opposed the HirShabelle administration’s proposal to centralize tax collection from the Hiiraan region to the Hirshabelle Ministry of Finance’s treasury in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle. This development takes place against the backdrop of ongoing political conflicts between the two regions, both of which are components of the federal state of Hirshabelle.
On Monday, the Hiiraan region’s deputy governor and officials of the regional administration attended a news conference in Beledweyne to announce plans to unify the state’s tax administration and transfer taxes from Hiiraan to the Hirshabelle Ministry of Finance’s treasury.
Following that, Governor Ali Jeyte’s office made a statement addressing political security issues, taxation in the Hiiraan region, and the proposal of the State Ministry of Finance. The governor stated that the initiative would jeopardize the fight against Al-Shabaab by reallocating critical resources.
To manage the region’s finances and promote the second phase of counter-terrorism measures, Governor Ali Jeyte argued for a transparent budget anchored by accountability. He stressed the importance of prioritizing security and economic recovery while maintaining national unity.
The message also emphasized the importance of assisting local Ma’awisley troops defending HirShabelle areas, particularly the Hiiraan region. These forces rely completely on funding raised by the Beledweyne district tax.
According to a source, Governor Ali Jeyte’s scheduled news conference to discuss the tax issue in the Hiiraan region has been canceled. The cancellation is thought to be related to ongoing negotiations between the Governor and Ali Guudlawe, President of HirShabelle.