Jubbaland Legislators Denounce Alleged Assault by Federal Troops on Bardhere District Offices
Mogadishu (AX) – In the heart of the Doolow district in the Gedo region, a resonant outcry has emerged from the corridors of the Jubbaland regional parliament. The lawmakers’ ire is directed toward a recent incident they describe as an unprovoked and provocative assault by Somali federal forces on the very core of the local government machinery in Bardhere. One dramatic event in the ongoing tale of Somalia’s political complexities? Or a tipping point in an already strained relationship?
Amidst the fervor of a press conference held on Wednesday, the air was thick with allegations and fears of intentional division. The lawmakers voiced their grievances, speaking candidly about what they perceive as a deliberate attempt by the federal leadership to sow discord. “Is President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud playing with fire?” one might ask. Certainly, the legislators think so. “We implore the citizens to recognize and resist the divisive strategies that are being employed to fracture community bonds,” declared the Members of Parliament, urging unity and cooperation among the populace to thwart such machinations.
The calamitous events of that day saw the federal government-appointed commissioner of Bardhere district, Mohamed Ilyas Caagane, among those who either lost their lives or sustained injuries. The seat of governance in Bardhere turned into a battlefield, with reports from local witnesses painting a picture of chaos: skirmishes that broke out at pivotal administrative hubs, producing a grim tally of casualties. Yet, the full extent remains shrouded in mystery—a murky number of wounded and deceased, whispered among concerned locals.
This bitter clash unfolded mere hours following the Jubbaland forces’ nonviolent acquisition of the district headquarters after federal forces chose—or perhaps were compelled—to retreat. The development signals an intensification of the prevailing tensions, both political and territorial, between the Jubbaland administration and the Federal Government. These tensions are anything but novel, especially in the ever-volatile Gedo region, where conflicts over who holds the reins of power have become almost a perennial affair.
As the dust settles, one cannot help but ponder what these intricate dynamics portend for the region’s future. Will these incessant power struggles ever find a peaceful resolution? The specter of further turmoil looms, yet the leaders continue to appeal for reconciliation and an end to bloodshed.
The anecdotes pouring out of Bardhere are countless. Like the tale told by an elder in the marketplace as he clutched his prayer beads, reminiscing about a time when such bitterness seemed a distant nightmare. His words echo through the bustling stalls: “Once upon a time, there was harmony here.” Can we find our way back to that once-upon-a-time?
In the arena of Somali politics, these events can be both a catalyst for change and a sobering reminder of how intricate the nation’s web of alliances and rivalries has become. “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change,” once suggested Charles Darwin. Could his musings find relevance amidst Somalia’s predicament?
Hence, the call for dialogue grows ever more urgent, the necessity for mature diplomacy is undeniable. With lives at stake and dreams of stability hanging in the balance, who will rise to bridge these divides? As each stakeholder grapples with these questions, the world watches closely, its gaze fixed on a nation at the crossroads of its destiny.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
