KISMAYO, Somalia –Hundreds of people took to the streets in Kismayo to protest against Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The protest, held on Thursday, took place in the town located about 500km south of the capital, Mogadishu.
Demonstrators, including women and children, waved placards in support of President Ahmed Madobe’s re-election while chanting, “We don’t want President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.”
They also accused President Mohamud of deploying hundreds of police and military forces to Ras Kamboni, a town in Lower Jubba region, about 274km south of Kismayo, in an effort to destabilize regions under Jubaland’s control.
One protester said, “Look at how the sun is scorching, yet we’ve come out to show our support for President Madobe. He is our savior and the legitimate leader of our region. We will not allow anyone to interfere in our affairs.”
On Thursday, Jubaland withdrew its recognition of the Somali government, citing changes to the constitution and election laws backed by President Mohamud.
The region invited all political stakeholders to a dialogue to discuss the future of state-building and unity while urging the Somalis to protect their peace and actively contribute to preserving statehood.
The regional state accused President Mohamud of constitutional violations, abuse of power, division of Somalia’s army, nepotism, corruption, and incitement of tribal conflicts by deploying forces to peaceful areas of Jubaland.
The region invited all political stakeholders to a dialogue to discuss the future of state-building and unity while urging the Somalis to protect their peace and actively contribute to preserving statehood.
It also claimed, “He is handing over towns to Al-Shabaab and weakening the military by sending forces to Lower Juba, destabilizing Jubaland’s governance.”
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when a Mogadishu court ordered the arrest of President Ahmed Madobe for treason, while Jubaland issued its own arrest warrant for President Mohamud on charges of treason and aiding Al-Shabaab.
