Somalia: Jubaland president returns to Kismayo after deal with opponents in Kenya

KISMAYO, Somalia - Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe has arrived in the seaport city of Kismayo on Wednesday, his office confirmed, a week after signing a historical peace deal with his opponents in Nairobi.

For almost 50 days, the president had holed up in Nairobi ostensibly for peace deal negotiations, which were precipitated by the outcome of August 2019 polls, in which Madobe was declared the winner amid protests by opponents.

At Nairobi, senior Kenyan official, the US and Puntland President Said Deni played an indispensable role in brokering the deal, which culminated in a brief signing ceremony, mainly attended by arbiters and the warring parties.

While addressing the media upon arrival at Said Mohamed Airport, Madobe asked residents to "embrace" one another for the sake of "unity" in Jubaland, adding that "I am committed to working with all partners to stabilize our state".

He added: "Elections come and go but our people remain. We should avoid acts that are meant for transient political gains at the expense of people. Our unity is key, it's what should worry us and we must defend it at all costs."

Both Abdirashid Hidig, Abdinasir Seerar, and Dahir Ahmed, who were fierce critics of Madobe, endorsed the plans to back the Jubaland administration, besides promising to "recognize" Madobe's August 2019 poll victory.

The three protagonists also promised to "do anything within our reach and flush out Al-Shabaab militants from Jubaland". It's not immediately clear on what positions they will hold in the government of regional unity but they are set to be incorporated.

But for Madobe, apart from agreeing to form the all-inclusive government, had to make "painful" but "fairly good judgment" by pledging to quit regional politics once his second term expires albeit on paper.

Since its establishment, Ahmed Madobe has been leading Jubaland, an area previously under the command of Al-Shabaab militants, following the dramatic liberation of Kismayo in 2012, an operation that was spearheaded by KDF troops.

Pundits believe that the unity deal could substantially affect the federal government of Somalia's persistent "interference" with the region's affairs. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo had often been accused of taking advantage of the impasse to fuel divisions in the Gedo region.

However, a now open-minded Madobe told reporters that "I am open for talks with the federal government as long as it's genuine. We should now focus on development for our people, this is what matters".

After his re-election in August, the federal government termed the exercise "fraudulent" and vowed never to "recognize" until a fresh election was held. But the Mogadishu administration seems to have changed strategy, opting for aggression at the Gedo region.

Most international partners in Somalia and the opposition teams have since endorsed the Nairobi deal, arguing that "this gives a reflection that dialogue is possible between FGS and federal states, it only needs implementation" in a statement released on Tuesday.

The endorsement could further minimize Farmajo's aggression towards Jubaland, following the deployment of the Somali National Army [SNA] in parts of Gedo. The troops have since clashed with Jubaland regional forces, further causing panic within the region.

Of urgency now is the focus on COVID-19 response within Jubaland. The state had tested and confirmed two cases of Somalia's 580 COVID-19 cases, although it doesn't have the ability to manage the pandemic.

Madobe will also reconstitute his cabinet where he's expected to bring on board his opponents. Somalia has persistently accused Kenya of calling shots in the state, although Nairobi has often responded by going ballistic against Mogadishu administration.

But of more essence in the fight against Al-Shabaab, which the US recently warned that it could be on the unprecedented resurgence, due to "unnecessary" conflict between security stakeholders in Jubaland.

GAROWE ONLINE