KISMAYO, Somalia – Jubaland state has warned the United Nations and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) against supporting Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in advancing his political agenda in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Internal Security said Jubaland had urged both the UN and AU not to allow PM Barre to use their aircraft to disrupt the state’s presidential election, which is scheduled for Monday in Kismayo, about 500 km from Mogadishu.
“We have informed the UN and ATMIS not to let their planes be used for politics, so the election in Jubaland can stay clean,” the ministry said.
They also accused Prime Minister Barre of trying to use their planes to push his own agenda in the region. It condemned what it called illegal actions orchestrated by Barre that could pose security threats to the region.
“These actions appear to be driven by personal motives and are not in line with the Somalia’s constitution,” the ministry added.
Jubaland also called on international organizations to respect Somalia’s laws, which are based on the federal system and the rights of regional states, in order to safeguard the stability and cooperation within Jubaland.
Tensions escalated when Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe severed ties with the central government and pledged to hold its own elections, defying Somalia’s unified elections pushed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Now, all eyes are on Madobe as he pushes to hold his own election, backed by Puntland state and opposition leaders, while the central government, led by President Mohamud, rejects the plan, saying it violates the country’s election process.
