Jubaland’s Leader Dismisses Ruto’s Request, Bypasses NCC Discussions on Election Reforms in Somalia
Jubaland Boss Shuns Ruto’s Request, Skips Somalia Election Overhaul Talks
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NAIROBI, Kenya – In a twist nobody saw coming, Jubaland’s head honcho, Ahmed Madobe, has tossed out an overture from Kenya’s top dog, President William Ruto. The proposal sought his backing for the National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow, a gathering accused of enabling shady term extensions.
Madobe, known for clashing with the authorities in Mogadishu, reportedly got a special invite to Kenya, courtesy of Ruto. This tête-à-tête was prompted by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who’s been on a whirlwind diplomatic circuit across the eastern part of Africa and the Horn, trying to rustle up support.
Hassan Sheikh is locked in a tough spot, pushing for sweeping constitutional shake-ups. He’s been thwarted as Jubaland stands firm against his overtures, citing a blatant breach of the provisional federal constitution. Hassan is gunning for full-scale, one-person-one-vote elections, and he wants to ditch the old indirect voting game.
In Eldoret, amid the scenic landscapes of Western Kenya, Madobe and Kenya’s leader, Ruto, joined by the country’s espionage boss, Noordin Haji, had a huddle that lasted two hours. By Friday night, the confidential meet had wrapped up, with decisions as clear as crystal.
Madobe stuck to his guns, announcing he won’t be making an appearance at the NCC meetup kicking off today in Mogadishu. This meet is a hotspot where the Somali federal government is set to gather with leaders from three regional states.
This Kenya-Jubaland summit unfolds just on the eve of the NCC’s weighty dialogues. Kenya, Somalia’s steadfast ally when it comes to shoring up security, sees Jubaland as a buffer. This region plays a pivotal role by aiding the Kenya Defence Forces in their strategic war against al-Shabaab insurgents.
Just before the Eldoret sit-down, Northeastern State’s big cheese, Said Abdullahi Deni, voiced unwavering solidarity with Jubaland over its decision to conduct its elections in line with the national constitution. Deni aired his views during an inaugural address at Northeastern State’s parliamentary session in Garowe, marking its 55th edition.
Deni added that the powers-that-be in Mogadishu have no clout to meddle with or postpone a federal state’s poll journey. Like Madobe, Deni is often at loggerheads with Mogadishu’s stance on federalism, which he criticizes as a ‘dire’ course.
This bubbling internal strife in Somalia comes as the nation gears up to shift from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the new kid on the block, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), expected to take the reins by January 2025.
Via AXADLETM