Somalia: Puntland president lands in Kismayo to a warm welcome
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Staff reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 10-10-2019, 01:56PM
KISMAYO, Somalia – Puntland State president, Said Abdullahi Deni arrived in the southern port city of Kismayo on Thursday for the inauguration of Jubaland state president, Garowe Online reports.
The president and other officials, including Senator Abdirahman Farole, received a warm welcome from Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe and former heads of Somali states upon their arrival at the airport.
Deni’s arrival in the bustling city marked the first time the current Puntland leader has visited the regional state since he assumed office in January 2019 following peaceful and democratic election in Garowe.
The former Somali Presidents of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as well the other dignitaries, including the leader of the political parties are expected to attend Madobe’s inauguration.
Until now, no inauguration date had been set for the much-awaited inaugural event, but, reliable sources in Kismayo, told Garowe Online that the ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 12.
Last month, the federal government banned all flights to Kismayo, a move that was seen as a plot to isolate Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, whose victory in August was disputed by Mogadishu.
Madobe is credited for helping Kenyan defense forces [KDF] kick out Al-Shabaab militants from Kismayo in 2012 that paved the way for the establishment of Jubaland in the next year, 2013 in the seaside city.
His inauguration was previously postponed twice due to pressure from the Federal Government of Somalia, which blocked all invited delegates, including former President from traveling to Kismayo.
Speaking to the local media, Jubaland Vice President Mohamud Sayid Aden on Wednesday warned that the federal government’s pressure on Jubbaland might spark social unrest in the region.
President Farmajo is at loggerheads with Madobe, who he claims that was forcefully installed as Jubaland President by the government of Kenya amid long-standing maritime border row between Mogadishu and Nairobi.
GAROWE ONLINE
