Somalia: Jubaland President Meets AU Special Envoy Amid Political Tensions

KISMAYO, Somalia — Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe on Monday hosted the new African Union Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, at the Presidential Palace in Kismayo during an official visit by the AU envoy and his delegation.

The delegation, which included senior officials from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), held talks with President Islam focusing on the country’s overall political situation, security challenges, and ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Ambassador Diene commended the Jubaland administration for its self-reliant initiatives to liberate and stabilize various areas in the region. He praised the performance of Jubaland’s security forces, describing their role as vital to Somalia’s peace and security.

The meeting comes amid tensions between Jubaland and the federal government in Mogadishu, which has rejected President Madobe’s re-election last year. Villa Somalia expressed strong disapproval of an earlier visit to Kismayo by James Swan, the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE