Somalia: Jubaland accuses FGS of blocking plane from delivering medical supplies to Gedo

KISMAYO, Somalia - Jubaland Vice President Mohamud Sayid Aden has accused the federal government of Somalia of blocking the transportation of essential supplies to the Gedo region, in yet another controversy which could escalate tensions between the two parties.

For months now, the administration of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has been embroiled in tussles over the control of the Jubaland region, with the regional leadership of Sheikh Ahmed Islam Mohamed alias Madobe accusing him of "internal" sabotage.

At a press conference on Monday, the first regional Vice President claimed a plane with medical supplies destined to Jubaland was blocked at Aden Adde International Airport by FGS authorities, adding that the move is "detrimental" to our people.

The minister did not, however, reveal the source of the medical supplies to the Jubaland state, which like any part of Somalia, is grappling with Coronavirus pandemic, which is rapidly spreading across the war-torn nation.

He said: "We cannot continue to tolerate scenarios where our people are openly discriminated against. They gave blocked a plane meant to dispatch medical supplies to Kismayo, this is something that is unprecedented and we must condemn it."

The action, he added, would subject thousands of vulnerable population in Jubaland, who are in dire need of medical aid, arguing that "we must be tolerant to each other and help our people indiscriminately".

But until now, authorities in Mogadishu have remained tight-lipped about the matter, despite the fact that in previous allegations of the same nurture, it has often issued rebuttals through its information and culture department.

The allegations have sparked mixed reactions from members of the public, whose views are either anchored on the policies of the federal states or the Mogadishu administration, depending on their persuasions and ideologies.

"Farmajo hasn't quite applied his mind to this. He just chose the most simplistic approach which might just be the deadliest," said Mahad Mohamud. "What he and Jubaland should've been doing is inviting workable solutions. The risk hasn't changed."

Ahmed Abdullahi, another critic, added: "Farmaajo the same people you are denying medical aid are the same people who welcomed you with open arms and jubilation during your first visit to Kismayo.

But some came into the defense of the fragile federal government, which has struggled for months to normalize relations with a number of federal states, whose leadership is critical of Farmajo's administration.

"It looks Jubaland admin is completely messed up as yesterday one was accusing the government is fully controlled Gedo region another one here is saying the government is blocking Aid into Gedo. How did they block the area they fully controlled," said Ahmed Khalif.

Over the weekend, two senators representing Jubaland also accused spy agency boss Fahad Yasin and the ministry of transport of ejecting them from a Kismayo-bound plane. The two were scheduled to attend the burial of a former regional minister who died in India.

Last year, former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud were also blocked from attending Madobe's inauguration, a move that further escalated tensions. Both Madobe and Farmajo are battling for the control of the Gedo region.

The incident comes at the time Somalia's Coronavirus cases are escalating, with the ministry of health reporting a total of 1,089 cases. Of these cases, the department said, 121 have recovered while 52 have since died.

But supplying medicines to various regions is proving hard, given the insecurity in Somalia. Last week, Ethiopian troops "erroneously" downed a Kenyan plane in Southwest killing six people, who were dispatching medicines to Bardale.

At Gedo, FGS deployed Somali National Army [SNA] troops which have been clashing with regional forces.

The move attracted retribution from the US and several international partners who called it "unnecessary" and warned of possible Al-Shabaab resurgence in the region due to internal squabbles.

GAROWE ONLINE