Madobe meets with UN envoy hours after Al-Shabaab attack on Halane

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe on Tuesday night held a meeting with UN envoy for Somalia James Swan in Halane base in Mogadishu hours after his arrival.

Madobe landed in Mogadishu ahead of the pre-election conference that would bring together with the federal government of Somalia leaders and those from member states, as the country strives to unlock the impasse.

Madobe, who has been critical of the government of outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, has often insisted on safety ahead of the talks, further calling for the withdrawal of federal troops from the Gedo region, which has been "grabbed" from regional administrators.

Before his arrival, Madobe's advance security team donned in military combats with Jubaland and Somalia flags arrived at Aden Abdulle International Airport, where they did surveillance before Jubaland state leader landed.

Multiple sources told Garowe Online that the talks will be held around the vicinity of the airport, just within the Halane Base Camp. The date for the talks is yet to be determined, but President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has been calling for a conference to solve the crisis.

Further, sources told Garowe Online that Madobe and his Puntland counterpart Said Abdullahi Deni will be staying at Halane Base Camp throughout the talks. The two leaders want the opposition team to be included in the upcoming talks which are aimed at reviving the September pre-election deal.

His arrival came just hours after Al-Shabaab militants fired six mortar shells at Halane Base Camp which hosts the AMISOM team and several diplomatic missions offices. Both the UN envoy James Swan and the FGS have condemned the attack, which left a number of civilians injured.

“I condemn this Al-Shabaab mortar attack on the airport facility in Mogadishu,” said Mr. Swan. “We wish a speedy recovery to those injured elsewhere at the airport. Despite such acts of violence, Somalia’s international partners remain committed to stand by the people of Somalia, and continue supporting the advancement of the country.”

"The mortar attack makes evident the frail attempts of the weakening terror organizations who have since turned to harmless humanitarian aid workers as their targets following our concerted efforts to wipe them from the face of our territories," FGS noted.

GAROWE ONLINE