(26 Oct 2024) KISMAYO (Halqabsi News) – Jubaland leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam returned to Kismayo, the interim administrative capital of Jubaland, on Saturday following a one-day trip to Kenya, where he met senior Kenyan government officials. His visit came shortly after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent trip to Nairobi, where he met President William Ruto and requested his effort in persuading the Jubaland leader to participate in the upcoming NCC conference in Mogadishu.
Reports indicate that President Madobe met with President Ruto in Eldoret on Friday, and their discussions emphasised the importance of resolving disputes with the federal government and returning to the NCC to address key issues on the forum. However, President Madobe reportedly insisted on three key points, including Jubaland’s constitutional right to hold parliamentary and presidential elections without a one-year mandate extension. He further argued that if the federal government is committed to a one-person-one-vote election, discussions should be broadened to include missing stakeholders, such as Puntland. Additionally, Madobe advocated for creating two election committees—one at the federal level and one at the state level—to give regional states the autonomy to manage their electoral affairs independently.
His return to Kismayo coincides with the expected resumption of the NCC conference on Saturday. Three regional leaders are currently in Mogadishu, ready to continue discussions on national election modalities with the federal government leadership.
Halqabsi News
