Jubaland sacks Abdirashid Janan after shifting allegiance to Farmajo

KISMAYO, Somalia | Embattled Jubaland security minister Abdirashid Janaan has been kicked out formally after shifting allegiance to Mogadishu administration, despite having worked closely with the regional government of President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe. 

Multiple sources had intimated to Garowe Online that Janan, who hails from the Gedo region, had been scheduled to formally shift his loyalty to outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whom he had been at loggerheads with.

And Jubaland, which seemingly had intelligence reports, sacked him on Wednesday, ending a long tie with a man who has defended the regional government from the onslaught that was plotted and executed by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. 

Although details about Janan's decision to join the federal government remain a top profile secret, it's however understood that Farmajo may have used the situation to further neutralize Jubaland, which has strongly opposed plans to dismantle federalism.

In 2019, Farmajo had temporarily arrested Janan, locking him for almost five months in jail. However, he would, later on, get assistance from insiders, who assisted him to escape from jail, taking temporary shelter in Nairobi and later on in Mandera.

At Mandera, he has been frequently blamed for organizing fighters, who have been facing the Somali National Army [SNA].

The move comes at the time the country is struggling to reach a truce over the upcoming elections, which have been delayed for several months now. Both the opposition and the federal government are yet to decide on the model of elections.

GAROWE ONLINE