Kismayo (AX) – In an unexpected twist, Jubaland’s head honcho, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, rolled back into Kismayo Monday. This move came after hitting a stalemate at the happening National Consultative Council (NCC) gathering in Mogadishu.
Word on the street is that Madobe bounced from the talks because he put his foot down about not wanting to move forward without roping in Northeastern State and Khatumo. His stance? Their no-show would basically toss credibility for future nationwide elections right out the window.
Madobe’s retreat is sending ripples through the NCC, throwing a wrench in the works since wrapping up the pow-wow in the capital hasn’t officially gone down. Big-ticket items like the looming federal and state elections, mending fences, and dialing up teamwork between the federal bigwigs and regional chiefs were on the docket.
Northeastern State’s Vice President, Ilyas Lugatoor, threw his weight behind Madobe’s push to get Northeastern State a seat at the table during the NCC meet-up in Mogadishu.
“Kudos to Jubbaland’s top dog, Ahmed Madobe, for sticking to his guns in Mogadishu. His stand against leaving out Northeastern State and Khatumo hit the nail on the head,” Lugatoor said.
As of yet, the word from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s camp is radio silence after Madobe’s homecoming to Kismayo. Meanwhile, scuttlebutt says talks are still chugging along in Mogadishu.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
