Friday December 13, 2024
FILE - Ahmed Madobe, President of Jubaland State, speaks during a press briefing at the Jubaland State House in Kismayo. Madobe has been at the center of escalating tensions between Somalia's Federal Government and Jubaland over political and military disputes.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Jubaland State has condemned Thursday’s clashes in Raas-Kambooni, accusing the Somali federal government of politicizing the Somali National Army (SNA) to suppress regional autonomy. The administration labelled the violence as “avoidable” and urged peaceful dialogue to address the growing tensions between Mogadishu and Somalia’s semi-autonomous states.
Jubaland officials announced Thursday that their forces had
seized full control of Raas-Kambooni, a town near the Kenyan border renowned for its strategic importance. The town serves as a gateway to the Indian Ocean and lies along critical trade and smuggling routes.
Jubaland's Deputy Minister of Internal Security, Aden Ahmed Hajji,
stated that the operation forced federal troops, including members of the elite Turkish-trained Gorgor unit, to abandon their positions.
The Somali Federal Government responded to the developments in Raas-Kambooni by
accusing the Jubbaland administration of collaborating with Al-Shabaab militants during the clashes.
The Ministry of Defense also accused Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe of provoking the conflict, claiming that Jubbaland's actions endangered Somali National Army (SNA) personnel who were stationed in Raas-Kambooni to secure areas vacated by African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces.
“This region has enjoyed over 13 years of peace and stability. The national focus should remain on liberating areas still under Al-Shabaab’s grip, not destabilizing regions that have achieved lasting peace,” Jubaland’s statement read.
Jubaland accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of using the SNA to achieve political goals, claiming that federal troops were deployed to enforce central authority over the state. The statement warned that such actions weaken efforts to rebuild Somalia’s fragile institutions, particularly its military, and threaten national unity.
Raas-Kambooni’s significance stems from its strategic location and liberation from Al-Shabaab in 2011. Over the years, the town has served as a critical buffer zone against cross-border threats and a vital economic hub for Jubaland. The federal government’s deployment of troops to such a region, Jubaland officials said, contradicts efforts to promote peace and security in Somalia.
The administration claimed that Mogadishu had previously deployed the SNA to suppress regional autonomy, fueling mistrust among Somalia’s federal member states. Critics argue that the federal government’s reliance on military solutions exacerbates political tensions instead of fostering reconciliation.
Amid the fallout, Jubaland pledged to treat injured soldiers humanely, providing comprehensive medical care and facilitating their safe return home. The administration also reaffirmed its readiness to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve political disputes, calling on the federal government to abandon militarized approaches.
“The solution lies in dialogue and compromise, not in pursuing resolutions through the barrel of a gun,” the statement concluded.