Jubaland Forces Surround Gedo Camp: A Deepening Rift in Somali Politics

BALAD-HAWO, Somalia — On the edges of Balad-Hawo town, tension simmers in Somalia’s Gedo region. Jubaland forces have reportedly encircled a camp tied to a federal-linked military outfit associated with a figure who needs little introduction—Abdirashid Janan. Formerly a Jubaland minister, Janan now represents the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Gedo under Mogadishu’s directive, a role imbued with intrigue and past controversy.

Local accounts whisper of 85 to 100 soldiers, pledging allegiance to Somalia’s Federal Government, hunkered down within the camp. “Surrender peacefully or face the consequences,” warns a senior Jubaland official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. One wonders, what drives this standoff? Is it merely political defiance, or something deeper?

As night fell on Tuesday, Jubaland’s military machine began its inexorable move toward Balad-Hawo. Today, an uneasy calm persists; no shots have pierced the air, yet the tension is palpable. High stakes hang in the balance.

In Mogadishu, whispers of a late-night meeting stir curiosity. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sat down with General Odowaa Yusuf Raage, Chief of Somalia’s Armed Forces. Their agenda? Deciphering the Gedo puzzle—a crisis increasingly reminiscent of past conflicts like Ras Kambooni. It’s a delicate dance of power, challenge, and ambition.

Rewind a few months, and we find the Federal Government reeling from its setback in Kismayo. It’s a tale of ambition met with stiff resistance, as federal forces—flown into Raas Kambooni—found themselves swiftly outmaneuvered by Jubaland’s defenses. Many of those soldiers, caught in the whirlwind of regional politics, sought refuge in Kenya. Lives, caught in the churn of political machinations.

Today’s friction escalates with unconfirmed tales of a thwarted military landing in Garbaharey. An aircraft, could it have carried reinforcements? Jubaland forces stood sentinel, potentially averting a volatile clash. What prevents this powder keg from igniting?

Since being designated as part of Jubaland in 2013, Gedo has become a symbol of federal struggle. Competing administrations vie for control, splitting communities, sometimes within shared kinship. A clash not just of politics, but of identity and belonging.

This latest confrontation on Balad-Hawo’s doorstep is more than a skirmish. It’s the embodiment of a deeper discord between Jubaland and the Federal Government. Are we inching toward resolution or rupture? The path remains uncertain.

“Diplomacy is the art of navigating the stormy seas of geopolitics without losing your way.” — Unknown.

As events unfold, observers and officials alike watch with bated breath, mindful of the fine line between discourse and discord. Will talks prevail, or is conflict inevitable?

Axadle Times will keep you informed as the story develops in Gedo.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.