Jubbaland Halts Collaboration with Federal Authorities, Alleging Breaches of the Constitution
Kismayo, September 2023: Jubbaland State and Somalia’s federal government have hit a rough patch. Why, you ask? Jubbaland’s camaraderie with the central government is on hold. The reason? The tides have shifted due to claims of federal disregard for Somalia’s constitution and an apparent lack of respect for Jubbaland’s self-rule.
“In short, we’re pulling our support until the federal folks start playing by the rules,” announced Jubbaland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on Sunday. They’re throwing shade at the federal squad for messing with their electoral affairs and holding up efforts to tackle the al-Shabaab drama.
Earlier, Jubbaland took a proactive step by setting up an independent electoral squad seven wise ones, if you will, picked by the big man himself, President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe. Their mission? Get the electoral ball rolling. This move was given the thumbs up by the regional lawmakers, underscoring Jubbaland’s push for doing things their way.
But alas, the federal Ministry of Internal Affairs was quick to slam Jubbaland’s electoral dream team as not cool (illegal) and saw it as a big threat to Mogadishu’s vision of one hearty, democratic Somalia. They’re asking Jubbaland to put a pin in their plans and stay in tune with the National Consultative Council’s (NCC) grand blueprint, which bangs the drum for a nationwide electoral system.
Yet, in an interesting twist, the Himilo Qaran political party, steered by the ex-top-dog, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, hollered its support for Jubbaland. They’re tipping their hats to President Madobe’s electoral move and standing firm on the side of regional independence.
So, what’s the skinny on this tug-of-war? While the federal government clamors for cohesion, Jubbaland’s current jig highlights their demand for autonomy and a political environment where regional voices aren’t just heard; they’re respected. It’s a classic tale of autonomy vs. central oversight, with Jubbaland yearning for its claim to sovereignty on the political dance floor.
Could it be, as the late great poet Rumi might muse from the stars, ‘a standoff between the heart’s yearning for self and the mind’s duty to align?’ Only time will tell how the story unfolds, perhaps with negotiations, or a nod to compromise, up the road. Till then, pop some popcorn and watch this political tango tear through the land.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
