Somalia: Farmajo 'agrees' to withdraw troops from Gedo

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia [FGS] may have after all agreed to withdraw the Somali National Army [SNA] troops from the volatile Gedo region, reports indicate, in yet another dramatic move that could restore peace and stability in Somalia.

For several days now, Jubaland leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe and a delegation from his administration have been holed up in Mogadishu where they met the President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, in a meeting where solving the standoff between Mogadishu and Kismayo was mooted.

Last week, the two leaders met at Villa Somalia for dinner before holding another meeting, but it's said to have almost collapsed when they failed to agree on key issues. The two sides have been having a frosty relationship since 2019 when elections were held in Jubaland.

But on Saturday, sources privy to the ongoing talks between Jubaland and Mogadishu administration reported "progress", arguing that key issues had been solved between the two sides. One of the major issues raised by Jubaland was having all states being part of Mogadishu pre-election talks.

Currently, only Madobe and Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni is in Mogadishu for talks having missed the third Dhusamareb conference. Southwest, HirShabelle, and Galmadug leaders had agreed to back the constituency model elections which would see close to 300 people participate in elections.

Also, the two sides are said to have reached a mutual consent to have the Somali National Army [SNA] troops withdrawn from sections of Jubaland especially in the northern Gedo region. The FGS is yet to confirm or deny reports of troops withdrawal from the volatile Gedo region.

For over 7 months now, the SNA troops have been carrying operations across Gedo and have often clashed with regional Jubaland forces. Kismayo authorities have been accusing FGS of destabilizing the region with an aim of setting a parallel administration that will rival Madobe's administration.

So fragile has been the situation that regional leadership warned of Al-Shabaab resurgence due to SNA and Jubaland forces rivalry. The US warned the two parties and called for immediate dialogue to end the standoff for the sake of peace and stability.

Sources said that the two parties "principally accepted" to remove security forces from Gedo subject to reconciliation and appointing a technical team; and other regional leaders will join up the talks, something that could lead to lasting peace in Somalia.

The federal government has been wrangling with both Jubaland and Puntland administrations of among others, controversial electoral law and resource sharing in Somalia. But three other states have a cordial relationship with the government.

The US on Saturday welcomed the meeting between Farmajo and the two leaders from Jubaland and Puntland. Washington hailed the process and asked the FGS and FMS leadership to finalize key issues before elections are done in Somalia.

"The US embassy appreciates The Villa Somalia for bringing FMS leaders together in Mogadishu. Grateful to Mr. Qoorqoor’s leadership in the Dhusamareb3 process - statesmanship Somalia needs. Encourage FGS/FMS finalize principles of agreement on broad-based consensus," read the tweet.

GAROWE ONLINE