Somalia: Jubaland vows to hold Madobe's inauguration despite pressure

KISMAYO, Somalia - An special aircraft carrying a large delegation has landed at an airport in the southern port city of Kismayo, the interim sear of Jubaland state on Saturday amid travel restrictions, Garowe Online reports.

The delegates include former presidents of Galmudug and South-West states, Abdikarim Guled and Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden respectively who arrived in the city for the upcoming inauguration of Jubaland president, Ahmed Madobe.

The former regional leaders are accompanied by members of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, both Lower and Upper Houses and they received a warm welcome at the Kismayo airport by the Jubbaland vice-president and other officials.

The plane becomes the first directly flew from Nairobi to touch down in Kismayo since the Mogadishu-based Somali government ordered all flights heading to Kismayo to route through Mogadishu airport for inspection.

Jubaland state TV reported that the plane was bought by the administration to transport the delegates attending the inauguration of President Ahmed Madobe, following the federal government’s travel ban on Kismayo.

So far, no official date has been set for the much-awaited inaugural ceremony of President Ahmed Madobe. 

Despite pressure from the Federal government, Jubaland has vowed to hold Madobe's inauguration, which had been postponed last month after Somali Government barred all dignitaries, including former president from attendance.

GAROWE ONLINE