Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, widely known as Ahmed Madobe, has declared that his regional intelligence service, the Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency (JISA), is now one of the most capable intelligence institutions in the Horn of Africa—surpassing Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in effectiveness and efficiency. Speaking during the opening of JISA’s new headquarters in Kismayo, Madobe said the facility represents a major milestone in Jubaland’s security development, calling it one of the most technologically advanced centers in the country.
“When it comes to security information in the Horn of Africa, the agency everyone turns to today is Jubaland’s Intelligence and Security Agency,” Madobe stated. “Even the federal government relies on us.”
He explained that JISA’s success is the result of over a decade of focused investment and institutional growth since its founding in 2013. The new headquarters is equipped with advanced surveillance and communication systems that allow Jubaland to detect and respond to threats more efficiently. Madobe added that the agency’s personnel have undergone extensive training in intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations, giving them the skills needed to tackle threats from Al-Shabaab and other extremist networks.
Madobe’s remarks come at a time of renewed political tension between his administration and Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu. The two sides have been at odds over control of security institutions and governance in the Gedo region, a long-standing source of friction. Earlier this month, Somali lawmakers representing Jubaland constituencies accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government of interfering in regional affairs and undermining Somalia’s federal system. They warned that using national security forces for political gain could weaken trust between the federal government and member states.
Relations between Mogadishu and Kismayo have remained fragile since the disputed 2024 Jubaland elections, which the federal government refused to recognize. Although there were recent talks in Kismayo brokered by Kenya to restore cooperation between the two sides, no agreement was reached on rejoining the National Consultative Council (NCC)—a key forum meant to coordinate collaboration among Somalia’s federal and regional leaders. Following the talks, Jubaland expressed its commitment to dialogue but accused the federal government of eroding trust within the federation.
Kenya, which maintains close diplomatic and security ties with Jubaland, has called for continued dialogue to prevent instability that could spill across the border. Nairobi has often played a mediating role in Somali politics, given its shared security interests in the region and its contributions to counterterrorism efforts.
The tensions between Jubaland and the federal government have occasionally escalated into violent confrontations. In recent months, both sides have traded accusations over clashes in Gedo, particularly near Balad Hawo. The federal government claimed that Jubaland forces attacked national army positions, while Jubaland accused Mogadishu of provoking conflict. Jubaland officials also alleged that the federal government’s military activities in Gedo were influenced by outside agendas connected to the Nile River dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt—a claim Mogadishu has not publicly addressed.
Despite these challenges, Madobe emphasized that Jubaland remains committed to strengthening its institutions and maintaining stability within its borders. He praised JISA as a model of regional self-reliance, noting that the agency’s growth demonstrates what federal states can achieve when given the autonomy to develop their own security capabilities. Madobe’s remarks appeared to highlight the broader struggle for power and trust between Somalia’s federal government and its member states—a dynamic that continues to shape the country’s fragile political landscape.