Kenya Revokes Passports of Somali Ministers After Jubaland Mediation Talks Collapse

Jibril Abdirashid Haji, the second deputy PM of Somalia

NAIROBI - The government of Kenya has reportedly revoked passports of two senior Somali officials opposed to the Jubaland administration, hours after the mediation brokered by the East African nation stalled, with Kismayo and Mogadishu pledging to continue with talks.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Kismayo on Sunday, signalling a possible truce with Jubaland leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, but the two leaders did not agree on fundamental issues. Kenya, through Noordin Haji, the intelligence chief, was the negotiator.

But hours after the meeting, Kenya has allegedly revoked the passports of Ali Ifiye Ali, the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, and Jibril Abdirashid Haji, who is the Second Deputy Prime Minister. Both officials are allies of President Hassan Sheikh.

Multiple sources told Garowe Online that the two officials suffered the fate at the request of Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe, who accused them of being a stumbling block to Somalia's stability.

The affected officials are said to be involved in political activities perceived as opposing the interests of those governments and the Jubbaland administration. Jubaland works closely with Kenya in the fight against Al-Shabaab, thus the close camaraderie.

Sources indicate that the measure was initiated in the aftermath of the Raskamboni offensive, which saw Jubaland forces defeat the Somali National Army (SNA) following a bloodbath that informed Kenya's decision to broker a truce between the two parties.

The affected officials reportedly have family members residing in Nairobi. Hassan Sheikh is pushing for a smooth implementation of the universal suffrage elections, an idea opposed by Jubaland and a host of opposition groups, who maintain that Somalia does not have the capacity to transition to direct elections for now.

Sources told Garowe Online the two are part of a Villa Somalia committee formed after talks with Jubaland collapsed. Villa Somalia is now considering a plan to detach Gedo from Jubaland and form a new administration directly under the federal government.

With simmering tensions, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is accused of plotting to extend his term by creating an artificial crisis in the elections. Neither Villa Somalia nor Kenya has responded to the allegations, but Nairobi is working hard to diffuse tensions in Jubaland.

GAROWE ONLINE