Federal Government Dismisses Ahmed Madobe’s Selection for Jubbaland Election Panel
In Kismayo, Jubbaland State’s big cheese, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, pulled a surprise move by announcing a brand-new, seven-member Independent Election Committee on Saturday. Tasked with the job of sorting out the nitty-gritty of future elections in Jubbaland, this committee’s formation quickly raised eyebrows and triggered a backlash.
Critics were swift to voice their concerns, pointing out that the chosen committee members have been cozy with Madobe himself—a fact that hasn’t sat well with Somalia’s federal government and plenty of political bigwigs outside Jubbaland.
The federal Ministry of Internal Affairs didn’t mince words, bashing Madobe’s decision as illegal and a step back for Somalia’s journey toward democracy. They were pretty blunt in a statement, urging Madobe to get with the program and honor the National Consultative Council’s (NCC) recent agreements. These agreements have laid out a blueprint for a unified, one-man-one-vote electoral system across the nation.
Back in the day, the NCC agreement was signed with the full nod of heavy hitters like President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and three governors representing different regions. They set the wheels in motion for elections, penciling in June 2025 for local, regional, and municipal votes, and then September 2025 for the big kahuna—parliamentary and presidential elections.
The buzz about Madobe’s move isn’t just about a few folks getting new jobs, though. It’s got the tension between the federal government and Jubbaland cranked up to eleven. Things hit a breaking point when Madobe decided to peace out of a fresh NCC meeting over in Mogadishu. His protest came with a catch; he demanded that Northeastern State and SSC Khatumo get a seat at the discussion table too.
This demand isn’t just a random ask. It’s tucked into a broader storyline where Northeastern State’s been playing hardball, stiff-arming NCC invites because of their beef with the federal head honchos. Their standoff’s been another spanner in the works for Somalia’s grand plan to get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to elections.
In a country that’s spent years trying to get its democratic act together after tough times, having these kinds of spats isn’t helping the cause. Navigating through this isn’t just about patching up relationships; it’s about writing a new chapter where everyone’s got a say. The coming years are gearing up to be a rollercoaster in Somalia’s political saga, with alliances to form, break, and reform.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring