Somalia at a Crossroad: Madobe Critiques the Government

KISMAYO, Somalia – In a forthright and impassioned address, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, the influential leader of Jubaland, offered a scathing critique of the current administration in Somalia. His discontent was vividly evident as he described a leadership that, in his view, mirrors a private enterprise rather than a government by the people, for the people. “How can a nation thrive,” he seemed to question, “when its leaders act more like CEOs than public servants?”

Madobe’s dissatisfaction was not without its breaking point. The recent National Consultative Council meeting was one he chose to shun, signaling profound disapproval of what he perceives as the country’s desperate mismanagement. One might wonder, are such meetings more a pageantry than a place of meaningful dialogue? Something echoed in his decision to abstain.

His grievances circle back to proposed measures that strive to clandestinely extend the terms of federal and state leaders—a clear deviation from Somalia’s constitutional script. Madobe’s principle stands firm: he cannot, and will not, lend his voice to meetings led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud if they contradict Somalia’s primary law.

In his appraisal of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Madobe lacks no candor. He speaks of Barre as a figurehead, a placeholder in a theatre of politics where real power remains elusive. “The Somali government today operates like a private company,” Madobe asserts, invoking images of the volatile 1991 period. This statement speaks volumes about an administration that, in his view, has ‘spectacularly’ dropped the ball, leaving Somali citizens to bear the brunt of unmet promises.

Meanwhile, tensions at the border town of Ras Kamboni compound these criticisms. Here’s where it verged on the brink of conflict. Federal troops, charged with maintaining order, found themselves on the losing side against Jubaland forces. Prior to the face-off, Madobe had warned of the brewing discontent—a warning unheeded by Mogadishu. The aftermath was stark: many Somali soldiers conceding defeat and crossing into Kenya. “Jubaland was fully prepared for the battle; we ensured minimal losses,” Madobe elaborated, highlighting both his strategic foresight and a government’s failure to protect its soldiers on foreign soil.

His accusations, however, extend beyond the battlefield. Madobe indicts the Federal Government of overstepping its bounds, disregarding constitutional mandates, and undoing what past Somali political stakeholders painstakingly built. It poses a sobering question—what happens when the agreed rules of governance are tossed aside? The wounds scar deeper when considering the persistent threat of al-Shabaab, a menacing force in regions like Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan. Yet, the government’s combat resolutions remain seemingly paralyzed.

Further frictions arise on the electoral front. Madobe recalls the roots of his rift with Mogadishu post Hassan Sheikh’s insistent calls for direct elections—move potentially paving a path for unintended term extensions. It is a classic tale of political chess, yet the stakes are high, perhaps even too high, for Somalia’s fledgling democracy. Madobe’s preference? Indirect polls, meticulously crafted to safeguard against power hoarding. And so, the impasse lingers, casting a shadow over what ought to be a harmonious federal alliance.

In a theater where national interests clash with personal ambitions, Madobe’s stance poses essential questions: Are the ideals of service and governance being sacrificed at the altar of political expediency? Is there room for a restoration of trust—a journey back to placing citizen needs at the heart of Somalia’s governance? These reflections linger long after the discourse settles.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring