MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe secured a controversial third-term re-election in a vote held on Monday in Kismayo, the outcome of which was widely anticipated. In a defiant declaration following the results, Madobe proclaimed himself the sole president of the state, further consolidating his grip on power amid growing political tensions.
He emerged victorious in the first round of a heavily skewed indirect election, which was marked by a conspicuous lack of competition. The process saw a select group of regional MPs, recently handpicked by him in a contentious electoral procedure, cast their votes. This controversial process has sparked fierce opposition from the Somali federal government, which has unequivocally refused to recognize the results.
In a defiant statement shortly after his re-election, Madobe declared that he will not be coerced or intimidated by threats of war, emphasizing that the only path to resolution is through dialogue. He reaffirmed his position as the sole legitimate president of his region, amid growing concerns over the potential installation of rival regional leaders by the Somali federal government.
“Hassan Sheikh [Somali President] reminds Jubaland of his 2013 actions. I am the legitimate President of Jubaland and no one else holds that title. I only welcome dialogue,” said Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe.
“Therefore, Mr. President, it is deeply unfortunate that the individual we once entrusted with an MP position, who later ascended to the role of Prime Minister, has now become a mere instrument in the efforts to undermine and destabilize Jubaland,” he added, referring to Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who hails from the region.
The remarks followed a violent gunbattle in the coastal city of Kismayo, where forces loyal to an opposition presidential candidate, supported by the federal government, clashed with Jubaland security troops, an incident swiftly condemned by Somalia’s Minister of Security, who vehemently accused the Jubaland leadership of instigating the confrontation. read more
On Monday, Somali media outlets reported that the federal government deployed hundreds of troops to Ras Kamboni, near the coastal town of Kismayo, signaling a clear escalation of tensions with Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, who has defied federal orders to delay indirect elections in favor of the agreed-upon popular elections slated for the end of 2025.
Federal authorities have deployed airborne troops to Elwak in Gedo region, intensifying pressure on Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe in what seems to be a concerted effort to either compel his submission or provoke his ouster—despite the fact that no sitting federal president has ever politically vanquished the defiant regional leader, nor has a term of federal president concluded without a clash with Madobe.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre recently accused Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe of attempting to usurp his government in a self-serving bid to “pour milk on himself,” a phrase implying an effort to coronate himself through a flawed and uncontested electoral process devoid of fairness and legitimacy. In a stern rebuke, Barre urged regional forces to refrain from interfering in political affairs, warning that any military action by Madobe to assert his authority would be deemed a criminal act. read more
In a stark escalation of tensions, the Somali federal government last week imposed a blanket ban on all flights to Dolow in the Gedo region, retaliating against Jubaland for the detention of six military officers en route to the nearby town of Elwak. Despite attempts to restore flight services, efforts have been met with resounding failure. read more
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