MOGADISHU, Somalia – Jubaland regional state has reportedly canceled Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s planned visit to Kismayo, about 500 km southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, just two days after the state cut all ties with the federal government amid escalating tensions.
PM Barre had planned to facilitate talks to resolve tensions between President Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, ahead of an indirect leadership election for Jubaland.
This election, scheduled to take place in Kismayo this month, is seen as a major blow to President Mohamud’s vision for a unified, nationwide election process.
As a native of Jubaland, Barre held phone talks with Kenyan military officials deployed under the ATMIS mission, who are securing Kismayo’s airport following the cancellation of his visit. He reportedly urged them to arrange an alternative route; however, the officials informed him they could not guarantee his safety due to the ongoing political tensions.
Now, Barre is considering traveling to Kismayo by sea, a move that could further inflame tensions between Jubaland and President Mohamud.
Reliable sources indicated that President Madobe has deployed heavy weaponry and heavily armed forces to secure the airport and the city, preventing any planes from landing without his authorization.
On Sunday, Jubaland severed ties with Somalia’s federal government, following a similar move by Puntland, as tensions over the electoral system continue to rise.
The move came after the Somali government criticized the seven-member election committee appointed by President Madobe to oversee an indirect leadership election, a plan that goes against the national electoral model.
Jubaland also warned against any political interference, particularly by outside forces or African Union peacekeeping missions whose legal mandate is focused on counterterrorism and security stabilization, rather than political influence or governance.
Political analysts said the decision by Jubaland and Puntland is a major blow to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s push for such a popular election to take place in Somalia.
They also pointed out that the irony of President Mohamud backing this reform now, after he opposed similar proposals from his predecessor, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. At the time, Farmaajo was locked in political battles with both Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland and Said Deni of Puntland.
Now, President Mohamud finds himself in Farmaajo’s shoes, advocating for popular elections while Jubaland plans to hold an indirect election, with support from Puntland and other opposition figures. The very states Mohamud once supported in their opposition to Farmaajo’s government are now opposing his own.
