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The federal government’s intelligence chief for Somalia’s Gedo region, Abdirashid Janan, has launched a strong attack on Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe, accusing him of stalling progress in the state.
Speaking recently, Janan said the Somali government is committed to “liberating Jubbaland from his hands” and claimed that Madobe’s leadership style is preventing the region from moving forward.
Janan, who once served as Jubbaland’s security minister, alleged that Madobe has turned the state into a “one-man administration,” where decisions are made without consultation and dissenting voices are silenced through pressure or intimidation. According to him, anyone who expresses a different opinion is either sidelined or punished.
He also accused Madobe of using clan identity as a political weapon, claiming it is a deliberate strategy to divide communities and weaken opposition against him. “When he faces resistance, he resorts to clan politics to create rifts among the people,” Janan said.
One of Janan’s most serious allegations was that Madobe encouraged officers from Gedo to commit acts of destruction in their own communities in exchange for promises of higher ranks and material rewards. “We know that Ahmed Madobe told officers from Gedo to burn down houses, offering them promotions and wealth,” he claimed. Janan added that some of these officers have already joined the federal government’s side, and others are expected to be integrated into the national army soon.
The intelligence chief also accused Madobe of deliberately blocking military operations aimed at liberating Bu’ale, the administrative capital of Jubbaland. Bu’ale has been under the control of al-Shabaab for years, and its liberation is seen as a crucial step in restoring security and governance to the region.
According to Janan, Madobe fears that freeing Bu’ale could undermine his authority and threaten his political grip on Jubbaland. “He knows that if Bu’ale is liberated, the balance of power will change, and he could lose control of the administration,” Janan said.
Tensions between the federal government and the Jubbaland administration have been ongoing for years, often flaring up in Gedo, a strategically important region bordering Kenya and Ethiopia.
Recently, the Somali government deployed Janan and other federal officials to Gedo. This move sparked clashes between federal troops and forces loyal to Madobe. The fighting led to federal forces capturing Beled Hawo, a key border district in Gedo.
The takeover of Beled Hawo is viewed as a significant gain for the federal government in its ongoing power struggle with Jubbaland’s leadership. Federal officials say the move is part of a broader strategy to assert control over regions they claim have been neglected or mismanaged by state authorities.
Observers note that this latest confrontation reflects a deeper political rift between the Somali federal government and Jubbaland, which is one of Somalia’s five federal member states. Jubbaland has long accused Mogadishu of undermining its autonomy, while Mogadishu accuses Jubbaland’s leadership of corruption, abuse of power, and failing to cooperate in national security efforts.
The situation in Gedo remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of destabilizing the region. Residents have expressed concerns about the impact of the political and military standoff on their safety and livelihoods. Many fear that continued fighting could lead to more displacement and hardship in an already fragile area.
For now, the federal government says it will continue efforts to “restore governance” in Jubbaland, while Madobe’s administration insists it is defending its legitimate authority. The dispute shows no signs of ending soon, raising concerns among Somalis and international partners who are urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than force.