Somalia: Jubaland state suspends ties with federal administration

The government of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Jubaland state said on Thursday that it was suspending relations and cooperation with the federal government in Mogadishu following a dispute over an election in the region, Reuters has reported.

Jubaland, which borders Kenya and Ethiopia and is one of Somalia’s five semi-autonomous states, re-elected regional president Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe for a third term in an election on Monday. However, the national government based in Mogadishu, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, opposed the election, saying that it was held without federal involvement.

Jubaland is regarded as the breadbasket of Somalia and the capital Kismayo is a strategically important port. Its shoreline delineates a hotly contested maritime zone, with potential oil and gas deposits, claimed by both Somalia and Kenya.

As the election row escalated, the federal government issued an arrest warrant for Madobe through a regional court in Mogadishu on Wednesday, while Jubaland issued a reciprocal warrant for President Mohamud today. Madobe now stands accused of treason and revealing classified information to foreign entities. The execution of the warrants remains uncertain, as both Madobe and Mohamud command large numbers of troops.

Somalia’s information minister, Daud Aweis, told Reuters that the matter was in the hands of the judiciary, which was tasked with enforcing laws through its rulings and judgements. He did not respond immediately to the severing of ties. Jubaland’s security minister, Yusuf Dhumal, did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

The feud is unfolding against the backdrop of Mogadishu’s fraying relationship with Somaliland, another of its regions, which is seeking international recognition as an independent country.

“The Jubaland government has officially and completely suspended relations and cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia,” said Jubaland’s state house. It accused Mohamud of several offences, including violating the constitution, corruption, fuelling clan conflicts and jeopardising Somalia’s fight against Islamist insurgents.

Earlier this week, the national government dispatched additional troops to Jubaland in response to the election. In 2021, Jubaland was among the regional governments that nearly clashed with the national government over plans to extend the time in office of the then president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.

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