What Somalia's Jubaland Vice President discussed with Ethiopia army chief

ADDIS ABABA - Later last week, Jubaland Vice President Mohamud Sayid Adan held a meeting with Ethiopian army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula in Addis Ababa, a meeting which came days after the regional forces defeated the Somali National Army (SNA) at Raskamboni.

According to multiple sources, Adan discussed security issues in the volatile Gedo region where most of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) troops serving in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) are stationed.

The meeting also focused on the truce between Ethiopia and Somalia reached in Ankara under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after months of conflict between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.

After weeks of hostility, Somalia agreed to have Ethiopian ATMIS troops remain in the country ahead of the exit deadline by the end of the month. It had preferred to have Egypt as the lead team while protesting Ethiopia's agreement on access to the sea with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Adan also raised concerns about operations by the government of Somalia in Gedo, arguing that there is a conspiracy by Mogadishu to overthrow regional leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe. It is not clear if he asked Ethiopia to help safeguard Madobe.

Adan, a long-time ally of Ethiopia and a central figure in its prolonged military presence in Gedo is widely regarded by many Somalis as Addis Ababa’s chief proxy and has recently engaged in ongoing consultations with Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somalia regarding the escalating power struggle between Madobe and Hassan Sheikh.

Jubaland has bolstered its relationship with Ethiopia, further irking the federal government which views the move as a wider strategy to undermine Somalia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Jubaland and Puntland had cut ties with the federal government over change of the electoral laws which they argue would trigger term extensions.

The regional government of Jubaland is alert after the attempted ouster of Madobe who secured his third term through indirect elections contrary to expectations of Mogadishu. The regional forces managed to repulse SNA troops who were making advance to Kismayo but have since taken refuge in Kenya after defeat.

GAROWE ONLINE