Jubaland Conflict: Who is Responsible for what happened in Raskamboni?

KISMAYO, Somalia - The Somali National Army ( SNA) unleashed against Jubaland regional forces in the Raskamboni area of Lower Juba region after weeks of mobilisation,  in what could escalate into a full-blown war following a political dispute between Villa Somalia and Ahmed Madobe. 

For the better part of Wednesday,  elite soldiers from SNA clashed with Jubaland forces, just days after Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe called for their withdrawal, accusing them of interference with a 'legally elected administration'.

Officials in Jubaland accused the Somali army of a drone attack on its forces near Raskamboni leading to clashes, adding that dozens of Turkish-trained Gorgor soldiers surrendered during Wednesday's battle.  After the battle, as many as 83 captured SNA soldiers were released and airlifted to Mogadishu.

Also, the Kenyan military said it would send back more than 600 Somali soldiers who surrendered at their base in Lamu county after suffering a major defeat in the Raskamboni area and fled to the Kenyan-Somali border for safety. 

Jubaland deputy security minister Aden Ahmed described as unfortunate the use of the weapons and drones provided by the International Partners against "a peaceful" federal state, instead of the intended Al-Shabaab war. 

Mogadishu had insisted that the elite troops are set to take over Forward Operating Bases left vacant by the outgoing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops, a claim Jubaland dismisses as a 'political narrative to pursue ouster of Madobe'.

Despite Jubaland's outcry, which has persistently accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of conspiracy to overthrow Madobe, the government distanced itself from Wednesday's bloodbath, claiming that Madobe engineered it.

Jubaland said Raskamboni had been freed from Al-Shabaab more than a decade ago and it was under its full control but Somali troops' deployment was a politically motivated move aimed at de-stabilization of security and destroying the current administration in Kismayo. 

"The Ministry of Defence has been monitoring Ahmed Madobe’s alarming collision with Al-Shabaab," read the statement. "The alliance has enabled Al-Shabaab to grant passage to the groups he has mobilised for assaults against national forces."

The Ministry of Defence further threatens to charge Madobe with 'treason' adding that 'all those involved shall face legal consequences'. But the fighting comes after Madobe warned against mobilisation of troops in Raskamboni and El-Wak,  arguing that 'we cannot allow you to destabilise the state'.

Either side had issued arrest warrants a few days ago against Hassan Sheikh and Ahmed Madobe,  with Jubaland accusing the federal government of 'sabotaging' the fight against Al-Shabaab.  A quick check on the ground shows that the SNA contingent is yet to take over any FOB vacated by ATMIS.  

The US and other international partners are calling for the cessation of hostilities and asking both parties to embrace dialogue. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had vowed to intensify operations against Madobe, whom he accuses of conducting indirect elections.  

Just as Madobe won the third term, the federal government vowed to teach him 'a lesson'. The warning was followed by the deployment of elite GorGor troops to Jubaland,  triggering tensions in strategic towns and subsequently leading to the mobilisation of troops.

Somali PM Hamza Abdi Barre has Called the Jubaland Election held last month in Kismayo Illegitimate and illegal Before the Raskamboni Clashes.

For Madobe, the universal suffrage model would trigger unconstitutional term extensions for federal and regional leaders,  thus his decision to stick with the indirect arrangement. Analysts believe the animosity between the two former allies could create a governance gap that could be exploited by Al-Shabaab.  

GAROWE ONLINE