Somalia: Madobe announces Council of Ministers months after re-election

KISMAYO, Somalia - Firebrand Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe has announced his full Council of Ministers after months of internal wrangles, which saw him delay in forming a unitary government, following a disagreement with local political actors.

The Council of Ministers, which reflects more of a unitary government, comprises 50 ministers, Deputy Ministers, and State Ministers according to Jubaland State House. Madobe was re-elected in August 2019 despite opposition from President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who was keen to impose a Villa Somalia loyalist.

Interior Minister Mohamad Warsame Darwish has returned to the cabinet while Abdinasir Seeraar, an opponent of Ahmad Madobe, has been appointed as education minister. The cabinet will now embark on service delivery to the people of Jubaland.

This comes days after former security minister Abdirashid Janan, a close ally of Madobe, shifted his loyalty to Mogadishu even after defending Madobe for months. Janan was once jailed before escaping from prison moments after Madobe's re-election.

Jubaland has been at loggerheads with the Mogadishu administration and the love-hate relationship of the two is well manifested in the ongoing pre-election stalemate in Somalia. Talks are set to resume on Thursday where Jubaland is insisting that Madobe quits.

In April 2020, Madobe signed a deal with three of his main competitors in Nairobi, a move which was seen as a blow to Farmajo, who had allegedly been using the conflict to "intimidate" the Jubaland leader to submission.

Both Abdirashid Hiddig, Abdinasir Seeraar, and Dahir Ahmed Sheikh, who had been robustly critical of Madobe, signed the deal in a Nairobi hotel, in a move that analysts said could redefine the history of Jubaland and Somalia at large.

The three had rejected the outcome of August 2019 polls in which Madobe was declared winner, citing "intimidations, bribery, and rigging" in a protest they had lodged. The agreement was a culmination of behind scenes activities that commenced in October last year.

In a statement released shortly after the signing of the agreement, the three fierce politicians "recognized" Madobe's 2019 victory, adding that "we shall work with the administration for the benefit of Jubaland people".

They pledged to rally for "unity within parliament" and "across the state" as one of the fundamental steps towards steering economic growth. This, they added, "would bring about equitable distribution" of resources.

Also topping their agenda was a "concerted effort" in the fight Al-Shabaab Al-Shabaab militants, who control large swathes within Jubaland. Al-Shabaab was earmarked as an "existential" enemy of Jubaland.

On his part, Ahmed Madobe pledged to form a "government of unity" which shall have representatives from all regions across the state. The opposition will be an integral part of the administration, the agreement notes.

But more compelling is Ahmed Madobe's decision to forfeit his future political plans. In the next state's elections, Madobe will "not seek" a third term, effectively ending his reign as a regional leader, albeit on paper.

So publicized was the deal that members of the international community led by the United Nations and the US welcomed the agreement, arguing that it would set the pace for dialogue between Jubaland and the Mogadishu administration.

"We call for full implementation of the pact and inclusion of all Jubaland stakeholders. Unity and reconciliation for Somalia," read the statement by the US, which fully committed Washington to the Jubaland leadership, months after the denial.

GAROWE ONLINE