Somalia’s Jubaland Tightens Security in Kismayo Amid Mogadishu Tensions
KISMAYO, Somalia – As Axadle reports, Jubaland’s head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, is ramping up watchful eyes at Kismayo Airport following rattlesnake-like threats from the federal bigwigs who want to squash the state’s indirect election shindig.
Whispers have it that Mogadishu dispatched a gaggle of security personnel toward Kismayo, allegedly prepping the runway for Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to swoop in and steer the electoral ship. Yet, Madobe, as cool as a cat in a creamery, has stamped his authority with a beefed-up troupe at the airport’s entryway—perhaps to blow the whistle on any hinted elite operative drop-ins.
This isn’t Madobe’s first rodeo against the federal hammer. Remember those tense times under Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, alias Farmajo? Ethiopian soldiers were given the cold shoulder as Mogadishu plotted to nudge Madobe out of his cozy seat.
Recently, the Jubaland chief set up an election squad, which sent the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud administration into a tizzy, protesting that this move is a thumb in the eye to the National Consultative Council’s direct election verdict.
New military faces now patrol around the airstrip, leading to PM Hamza Abdi Barre ditching his travel plans. Hailing from Jubaland himself, Barre might just be irked by Madobe’s iron stance, which has seen relations with Mogadishu hit the skids.
On Tuesday, lawmakers from Jubaland and Northeastern State delivered an unreserved cheer for Jubaland’s autonomy in running its ballot affairs, pledging allegiance to the regional artifact.
Currently, flights are a closely-guarded secret as vigilant security folks eye any cheeky troop deployment by the federal playmakers. Madobe, once a leader of Ras Kamboni Brigade and never shy to call out Al-Shabaab, warns that straight-up elections could stretch terms longer than grandma’s afghan.
Interestingly, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is now sailing in different seas. Once a thorn in the side of Farmajo’s direct election dreams, he’s now advocating for a system unknown for 60-plus summers.
The blueprint promises a leap from yesteryear’s indirect rigmarole towards a shiny, modern one man-one vote stance, resonating with global democracies. Yet, amidst the chatter, the lack of a kick-starter electoral commission looms large.
Experts reckon the newfangled scheme might hit a sticky wicket—what with voter jotting and education hurdles to jump. Biometric jazz could be on the horizon, but whether Somalia can foot the bill is another kettle of fish.
Potential holdups and the resultant extensions are keeping Northeastern State skittish, with both Jubaland and Northeastern State in a standoff with Villa Somalia due to scanty tête-à-têtes over this seismic constitutional twist.
AXADLETM
