Impasse

Stalled talks in Kismayo expose a deeper crisis for Somalia’s unity and security KISMAYO — A week of chest‑thumping and handshakes in this southern port city has done little to resolve the core question that has shadowed Somalia since the collapse of central authority three decades ago: who truly speaks for the places that sit on the line between clan, commerce and the state? President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Kismayo and his face‑to‑face with Jubaland strongman Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe produced the ritual…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Envoys sent by Kenya’s President William Ruto gathered behind closed doors with Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. Insiders whispered to Axadle that electoral tensions between Mogadishu and Kismayo were front and center. Just two weeks ago, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had a chinwag with Ruto in Eldoret, asking for Kenya’s help in brokering peace with Jubaland’s head honcho, Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe. The rift between these two bigwigs stems from differing views on the election…