MOGADISHU — Somaliia’s Jubaland regional administration has raised its military alert following President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s announcement that the federal government intends to assert control over the Gedo region, escalating tensions with the semi-autonomous state.
In Beled-Hawo, near the Kenya border, residents recall previous clashes between federal troops and forces loyal to Jubaland’s President Ahmed “Madoobe” Mohamed Islam, leaving civilians displaced. Many locals fear that political disputes are undermining security and essential services.
Jubaland officials have appealed to the United Nations, accusing Mogadishu of obstructing governance and threatening regional autonomy. A UN-backed peace conference is planned to promote dialogue between local clans and authorities.
Analysts warn that the conflict reflects deeper challenges in Somalia’s federal system, where unclear power-sharing and political mistrust risk undermining the fight against al-Shabaab and destabilizing the region. One Gedo elder told AFP: “We want peace, not politicians using our region as a battlefield.”
Without dialogue and constitutional clarity, tensions between Mogadishu and Jubaland could continue, affecting stability, development, and Somalia’s counter-terrorism efforts.
