Hudur, a town in Bakol region, has been under siege for over ten years, with Al-Shabaab blocking all access roads and isolating its residents.
Despite the siege, voter registration recently began as election officials push to include Hudur in Somalia’s upcoming elections.
South West State’s President and Somali Parliament Speaker Aden Madobe visited Hudur to advance the election plan promoted by Villa Somalia.
Speaker Aden Madobe led voter registration efforts amid crowds, signaling government commitment despite ongoing security challenges in the region.
Critics argue local leaders prioritize political interests over liberating Xudur from Al-Shabaab’s control and ending the blockade.
Hudur and the wider Bakool region face severe hardship, relying on air supplies due to the Al-Shabaab siege.
Skyrocketing prices and inflation have made life unbearable for residents trapped within the city’s prolonged blockade.
Two years ago, officials promised intensified military operations against Al-Shabaab, but little progress has been made.
Leaders still must access Hudur by air, showing ongoing security failures and stalled efforts toward liberation.
This fuels criticism that political agendas take precedence over genuine commitment to fighting terrorism in Somalia.
Hudur remains a critical city in crisis, surrounded by Al-Shabaab forces on all sides for more than a decade.
