(13-06-23) MOGADISHU — Two planes carrying recently appointed administrative officials for the Gedo region were denied landing at the Garbaharey city airport on Tuesday, local sources have confirmed to Halqabsi News. These officials, selected by Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, were reportedly turned away on Tuesday. Notably, when one of these aircraft attempted to land, it was met with shots fired by airport officials, compelling it to return to Mogadishu. This drastic measure was taken after the plane ignored the express orders not to land.
The Deputy Chairman of Garbaharey District, Adan Sirad Mahmoud, echoed the sentiments of local politicians and citizens when he announced to the media that no aircraft carrying members of the Jubaland administration would be permitted to land in the region, highlighting their collective disapproval of the new appointments.
This event indicates a resurgence of tensions in Gedo, a region that recently experienced an administrative reshuffle backed by the federal government. This endorsement of President Madobe’s new appointees has ignited fresh disputes in this already conflict-ridden region.
President Madobe’s endeavour to reintegrate the Gedo region into his administration has been met with vehement opposition from local citizens, exacerbating the precarious political climate. As the stand-off persists, the future of this situation remains uncertain, along with the subsequent impact on Somalia’s political stability.
This incident followed a week-long flight ban to the Gedo region. Last Wednesday, Gedo’s Governor, Ahmed Buule Garad, publicly condemned the recent administration appointed by President Madobe, stirring up fresh political discord in Somalia.
Only a day prior to this, President Madobe had named a new administration for Gedo. According to the decree signed last Tuesday, Abdullahi Abdi Jama has been appointed the new Governor of Gedo. Along with this, four deputy governors were named: Osman Nur Haji ‘Moalimu’ overseeing security and politics; Nasteh Abdi Salah, handling finance; Ibrahim Madobe Mohamed, in charge of social affairs; and Mohamed Hussein Isaq Qaadi, responsible for administration duties. Qaadi will also serve as the secretary of the regional administration.
