Wajir South to front a govenor in 2017 following three-day meeting in Wajir

WAJIR—Political leaders in Wajir South have resolved to shelve their ambitions and work with whatever the community would propose following a three-day meeting in Wajir town.

The annual meeting, in its second year dubbed the “Wajir South Forum” this time round had a new agenda—clinching the gubernatorial post at Wajir County.

UNITED: (From Left) Sheikh Abdisalan Muhumed, Abdullahi Diriye, Amb. Mohamed Affey, Senator Abdirahman Olow and Dayow in Wajir during Wajir South Forum. Photo/ Courtesy

While the meeting lasted, there was a palpable excitement about the new challenge to have the next county governor coming from the biggest constituency in the formerly North Eastern province.

From one speaker to the other, the rallying call was the need to unite–a unity of purpose.

“Let us start this (meeting) knowing that we cannot do anything without first uniting,” Sheikh Abdisalam Sheikh Muhumed, who moderated the get-together said at the start of the – meeting held at Hodan area of Wajir town.

The most important agenda of the meeting was to create the Ogaden Supreme Elders. The council is expected to front a governor from the constituency and a possible line-up. It will also suggest who to team up with from other constituencies and possible coalition partners.  The Council of Elders would also look for other options apart from the gubernatorial post, among them Wajir East constituency and Township MCA.

However, the immediate tasks of the Wajir South Forum is to compose the members of the Elder council which should be between 15 to 20 members.

“The idea of the Elder council is to take the community through the electioneering period and we expect to have  at least 20 members,” the Secretary of the Wajir South Forum, Yakub Sheikh Hassan Okash said.

He added that each sub clan of the Ogaden would have at least five members in the Elder council and a chairman.

“After the Council has been formed, it would vet candidates on the basis of integrity, boldness among other,” he said without divulging more details.

The meeting came at a time when Wajir South residents are worried about the next leadership of the constituency and their representation in the next county government.

Senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan Olow said he would not make his ambition public until when the Council has made up their choice.

“I want to tell everyone that I would not make a political decision without the blessing of the Elders,” Olow said, adding: “It’s time we stopped being passengers and take on the wheel.”

Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey, the Igad envoy to Somalia said he would not “disturb the people again.” He added that if the community invites him to vie in any post, he would oblige. He called on the political class to seek life away from politics, saying going against the community comes at a heavy price.