Villa Somalia and Jubaland now teeter on the edge of full-blown war

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Villa Somalia and Jubaland now teeter on the edge of full-blown war

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe, previously allies in the nation's political landscape, now find themselves on the brink of war after a divisive National Consultative Council meeting revealed profo

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Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe, previously allies in the nation's political landscape, now find themselves on the brink of war after a divisive National Consultative Council meeting revealed profound rifts, prompting both sides to mobilize for a possible showdown.

On Saturday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appointed Ahmed Madobe’s former spy chief as commander of the Somali army’s land forces, a move widely interpreted as an aggressive strategy to exert control over Jubaland and compel its leader to acquiesce to Mohamud’s authority—or risk losing his position.

The newly appointed commander, despite his youth and relative inexperience, has been pivotal in solidifying Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe’s grip on Kismayo, successfully maintaining a fragile peace amid relentless attempts by Al-Shabaab to destabilize his rule.

Acknowledging the risks involved and perceiving Jess Play as just the opening salvo in President Mohamud’s campaign against him, Ahmed Madobe ordered two of his supporters within Somalia’s cabinet to resign, aiming to ignite a political earthquake in Mogadishu.

On Sunday, the Somali Deputy Minister of Education and the State Minister of Planning both announced their resignations in separate statements, leveling grave accusations against the government, including the embezzlement of funds designated for combating insurgents.

Not only that, but Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe has summoned all federal MPs from his region to Kismayo for urgent consultations, echoing a recent political strategy employed by Puntland President Saed Deni, who is likewise engaged in a struggle against Villa Somalia.

What Ahmed Madobe intends to discuss with the MPs and how it will bolster his strategy to keep Villa Somalia at bay remains unclear; however, it is evident that Mogadishu will take all necessary measures to thwart his efforts to conduct an indirect election that could facilitate his return to power.