Somalia’s President Turns to Foreign Mediation in Domestic Dispute – Jubaland Leader Flown to Kenya

NAIROBI, Oct 27 (Garowe Online) – Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, known as Ahmed Madobe, arrived in Nairobi on Friday morning after a plane sent by the Kenyan government transported him from Kismayo, multiple reliable sources confirmed to Garowe Online.

Madobe held a closed-door meeting in Nairobi with Kenyan President William Ruto and Kenya’s head of intelligence, Noordin Haji. According to insider sources, the meeting followed a request from Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during his recent official visit to Kenya.

President Mohamud reportedly sought Kenya’s support to encourage Madobe to accept Villa Somalia’s proposal for an unconditional term extension for certain federal member state (FMS) leaders, a move Madobe reportedly opposed. Villa Somalia views these extensions as critical to Mohamud’s broader political plans as his own tenure nears its end. Political analysts see the proposed extensions as a strategy to secure allies among FMS leaders, potentially paving the way for Mohamud to pursue an extension for his own term.

Political analysts in Somalia have labeled the move a political misstep for President Mohamud, suggesting his reliance on foreign backing signifies his failure to secure agreements directly with Somalia’s Federal member states leaders. 

While details of the outcomes from the Ruto-Madobe talks remain unclear, sources indicate Madobe is expected to stay in Nairobi overnight after logistical issues delayed his return flight to Kismayo. This diplomatic maneuvering comes amid increasingly strained relations between the Somali federal government and Ethiopia, following accusations that Ethiopia interfered in Somalia’s domestic affairs.

With mounting domestic challenges and diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries, Mohamud’s decision to seek Kenya’s assistance in handling regional issues adds further complexity to Somalia’s political landscape.

GAROWE ONLINE