By HAN NEWS Desk
KISMAYO – Jubaland’s long-serving regional president, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, better known as Ahmed Madobe, has warned President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud against any attempt to extend his term in office — a remark that has sparked criticism over Madobe’s own extended stay in power.
Ahmed Madobe, who has led the semi-autonomous Jubaland region since 2013, made the warning during a recent political gathering, urging Somalia’s federal leadership to respect the constitutional timeline and hold elections on schedule.
However, his comments have drawn mixed reactions among Somalis, with many accusing him of hypocrisy. Critics argue that Madobe himself has been in power for nearly 13 years without allowing a genuinely competitive and transparent electoral process in Jubaland.
“It’s surprising that a leader who has been in power for over a decade without a clear democratic mandate is warning others about term extensions,” said a political analyst in Mogadishu who asked not to be named for security reasons.
Under Madobe’s administration, Jubaland has faced accusations of political exclusion and limited development. Local residents and opposition groups claim the region has seen little progress in basic services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while power remains concentrated among a small political elite.
Supporters of Madobe, however, defend his long rule, arguing that he has brought relative stability to Jubaland after years of conflict and that his leadership has been key in maintaining security in southern Somalia against the militant group al-Shabab.
Despite those claims, the region remains deeply divided, with tensions between the Kismayo-based administration and the federal government in Mogadishu continuing to simmer.
Analysts say the ongoing debate highlights a broader issue in Somali politics, where both federal and regional leaders have faced accusations of clinging to power and undermining democratic processes.
