Jubaland President Arrives in Nairobi Amid Somali Government Travel Ban

NAIROBI, Kenya - Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe has arrived in Kenya for a visit to the capital, Nairobi, following a travel ban imposed by the Somali government.

During his stay, Madobe is expected to meet with representatives of international partner countries supporting Somalia, to discuss assistance for Jubaland, which is currently facing a blockade from the Mogadishu-based Somali government over the current political fall-out. 

The trip comes shortly after Madobe accepted an invitation from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to attend national reconciliation talks in Mogadishu, which have been rejected by some political leaders, including former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

The Somali government rejected the outcome of last year’s elections in Kismayo, where Madobe was re-elected for a third term as President of Jubaland. This marks Madobe’s second visit to Kenya since the Somali government imposed a travel ban on Jubbaland officials.

Kenya has been a key ally of Madobe, providing support in the fight against the al-Shabaab insurgency and securing Kismayo, which has been under Kenyan military control since 2012.

Madobe arrived in Nairobi on a private flight from Kismayo, indicating that the Somali government’s travel restrictions have not affected his ability to travel abroad.

Garowe Online