Hamza Abdi Barre, the Somali Prime Minister, has given a blistering speech in Mogadishu today, strongly attacking Ahmed Madobe, the President of Jubbaland, for alleged threats and pressure on MPs from Jubbaland. If the Prime Minister’s accusations were correct, MPs were said to be coerced into causing trouble in Mogadishu to protect private political interests, calling it a very serious breach of the principles of governance.
Reports on the ground state that the tensions between the federal government and Jubbaland are worsening, with Jubbaland officials refuting Prime Minister Hamza’s accusations. Inside sources fear it will be the crisis inside Jubbaland, and mediation is reportedly underway to contain the rift, while Jubbaland leaders have accused the federal government of interfering in their internal affairs to exert undue pressure on their administration.
The Prime Minister also made comments about the ongoing travel sanctions against Jubbaland, saying ordinary citizens and other leaders were not being targeted; he reiterated that the federal government remains committed to maintaining national stability and urged that intimidation of Jubbaland lawmakers stop. Next, discussions between the two sides are expected to resume in the coming days to solve the growing conflict.