Somalia: Jubaland blockade “worsens” dire humanitarian situation

KISMAYO, Somalia – Jubaland state says new restrictions on travel to the port city of Kismayo by Somali Federal Government has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in the region, Garowe Online reports.

These measures were in response to an election in Jubaland state that resulted in the re-election of Ahmed Madobe for a 3rd term in the August 22 presidential polls, winning 74% of the parliament vote.

In a statement, Jubaland has described the move as “illegal blockade” and called on the international aid agencies to take deterrent measures to prevent thousands of Somali people from dying of starvation.

The State accused Somali government of plotting an aggressive attack against Kismayo, its interim seat and notified the country’s international partners that Mogadishu will shoulder its responsibility for the conflict.

The government has already started enforcing these directives in what is seen as an economic embargo on Jubaland to force the administration to surrender to be controlled from the capital, Mogadishu.

The statement comes weeks after the Government has ordered all flights from and to Kismayo to make a stop-over Mogadishu as the political row between the two sides escalates and relations at “low point”.

The restrictions made aid agencies face extremely limited access in the drought-hit areas in Jubaland, according to the statement released by the state presidency which dated on Wednesday, September 18.

A seemingly angry President Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland state, who is normally known for his cool head, seems to be irked by the latest subversive acts by the UN-backed Somali Federal Government.

The president came out gun blazing last week, accusing the Federal government of punishing the people of Jubaland by imposing harsh economic and travel restrictions to make their life miserable.

The statement comes weeks after the Government has ordered all flights from and to Kismayo to make a stop-over Mogadishu as the political row between the two sides escalates and relations at “low point”. 

GAROWE ONLINE