Somalia Government Operates Like Private Firm, Fails Its Citizens, Madobe Says

FILE: Ahmed Madobe, the president of Jubaland state of Somalia

KISMAYO, Somalia - Authorities in Mogadishu are running the government like a private firm, Jubaland leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe has said. He added that his decision to boycott the National Consultative Council meeting was informed by the country's 'mismanagement'.

While singling out a plot to extend the term for federal and state leaders, Madobe said the violation of the constitutional dictates would not allow him to, particularly in the meetings chaired by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of Somalia.

He accused Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre of lacking the authority to run the government, arguing that the current administration has 'spectacularly' failed to deliver its promises to the people of Somalia, who are now 'suffering'.

"The Somali government today operates like a private company, similar to how things were run in 1991. The Prime Minister has no real power—he is just an employee with no decision-making role," Madobe stated.

On Ras Kamboni clashes with federal troops who lost the battle, Madobe said he had warned them before tensions escalated, forcing the Mogadishu-led mission to fail as Jubaland troops took control of the border town on the South coast.

"Jubbaland was fully prepared for the battle, and we ensured minimal losses on our side. The results of the conflict were clear, and unfortunately, many Somali soldiers surrendered to Kenya," he added.

Madobe further accused the Federal Government of constitutional violations and overstepping its legal boundaries, stating that the administration in Mogadishu was dismantling past agreements reached among Somali political stakeholders.

The Federal Government of Somalia, he said, could not fight the al-Shabaab militants — citing persistent attacks by the group in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan region within central parts of the country, where the group is dominant.

Madobe fell out with Mogadishu after Hassan Sheikh insisted on direct polls, which the veteran Jubaland leader said would lead to automatic term extensions. He went to conduct indirect polls, leading to a political standoff involving the federal government.

GAROWE ONLINE