Somalia: Jubaland condemns Federal Government for airlifting troops to Garbaharey

KISMAYO, Somalia - The regional government of Jubaland has criticised the federal government of Somalia for airlifting troops to Garbaharey, a town, and Mogadishu is pushing to set the headquarters of the state, away from Kismayo, which is the interim capital.

According to multiple reports, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) troops were airlifted to the town on Friday, in what could trigger tensions between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubaland leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe.

The regional administration described the deployment as provocative, coming while Jubaland is conducting operations to liberate towns under Al-Shabaab control. The Jubaland troops are currently along the Jilib corridor trying to liberate several villages still under Al-Shabaab.

Officials in Kismayo warned that the move—arriving amid ongoing shuttle diplomacy aimed at resuming talks with Mogadishu—adds strain to an already fragile security environment and risks disrupting counter-terrorism operations along the Jilib–Jamaame corridor, a key Al-Shabaab stronghold.

Intelligence reports also indicate that militants are repositioning toward areas bordering Mogadishu, raising concerns about potential threats to the capital. Jubaland administration has been at loggerheads with Hassan Sheikh over constitutional amendments.

The amendments, Jubaland says, could lead to unconstitutional term extensions for both federal and regional leaders. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud insists on direct polls, while Jubaland believes this model cannot succeed due to the country's limited resources.

Jubbaland, one of Somalia’s federal member states with significant autonomy, said the federal deployment undermines the state’s political authority and called it an unnecessary and destabilising action.

While Mogadishu has not yet issued an official explanation, Jubaland affirmed it will continue to defend its political mandate and urged the international community to take note of the escalating tensions. Footage showed the federal troops landing at Garbaharey airstrip.

GAROWE ONLINE