Wednesday November 27, 2024
File photos of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe (left) and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (right). The two leaders are at the center of a deepening political standoff, with courts from both sides issuing mutual arrest warrants
Mogadishu (HOL) — The political standoff between Somalia’s federal government and Jubaland has reached a critical juncture, with courts from both sides issuing arrest warrants for their respective leaders. Mogadishu’s Banadir Regional Court accused Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe of treason, while Jubaland’s First Instance Court countered by charging Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud with constitutional violations and incitement to rebellion.
The Banadir Regional Court issued an arrest warrant for Ahmed Madobe on Wednesday, alleging acts of treason, collusion with foreign governments, and actions threatening Somalia’s unity. The court cited Articles 184, 186, and 217 of the Somali Penal Code, accusing Madobe of sharing classified information and undermining national security. The warrant follows Madobe’s contentious re-election for a third term, which federal officials have declared unconstitutional, pointing to violations of a 2023 agreement to transition Somalia to a universal suffrage electoral system. Meanwhile, Jubaland's warrant for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was first published on the official Facebook page of Jubaland State Television, though the federal government has yet to comment on either warrant.
Jubaland’s First Instance Court retaliated the same day, issuing its own arrest warrant against Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The charges include treason, inciting rebellion, and destabilizing the Somali state, citing multiple articles of the penal code. Jubaland’s court accuses Mohamud of inciting conflict and undermining national unity, a move observers see as a direct response to Mogadishu’s legal and military pressures on Madobe.
The escalating feud has spilled into military tensions, with federal troops, including elite Haram’ad and Gorgor units, mobilizing near Ras Kamboni, a strategic town close to the Kenyan border. Jubaland forces have responded by reinforcing their positions. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) denied reports that its forces were involved in organizing or securing the Jubaland state election.
The Somalia-Jubaland relationship has long been fraught with governance and resource control disputes. Jubaland’s leadership under Ahmed Madobe, first elected in 2012, has often clashed with Mogadishu’s efforts to centralize power and transition to a one-person, one-vote electoral system. While Madobe’s administration is credited with stabilizing parts of Jubaland and reclaiming the port city of Kismayo from Al-Shabaab, critics argue his extended tenure entrenches clan-based power dynamics that undermine Somalia’s federal framework.
The current standoff threatens to derail the country’s fragile state-building efforts. Opposition factions within Jubaland have rejected Madobe’s re-election, holding parallel elections and forming rival governance structures, exacerbating political divisions.
The United Nations, African Union, and European Union have called for restraint and dialogue, urging both sides to avoid further destabilization. In a joint statement, international partners encouraged Jubaland to rejoin the National Consultative Council, describing it as essential for resolving federal-state disputes.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) also issued a statement urging all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue to prevent further escalation. The ONLF warned that the unfolding crisis poses a grave threat to regional stability, with potential ramifications for Somalia’s state-building efforts and civilian safety. The group called on the international community and Somali stakeholders to support de-escalation and reconciliation efforts.
“An escalation of hostilities would not only endanger the lives of innocent civilians but could also provide opportunities for destabilizing forces to exploit the volatile situation,” the statement said.
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Jubaland's arrest warrant for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had not been shared on any official state channels as of Wednesday evening. However, it has since been confirmed that the warrant was first published on the official Facebook page of Jubaland State Television, the media outlet of the Jubaland administration. The article has been updated to reflect this clarification.