KISMAYO (KAAB TV) – The President of Jubbaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), chaired a cabinet meeting today where discussions focused on the election process and the aftermath of the Mogadishu summit.
According to sources within Jubbaland’s cabinet who spoke to KAAB TV, President Ahmed Madobe explained to his ministers the reasons for his departure from Mogadishu, calling President Hassan Sheikh’s ambitions “a mere daydream” and stating that Jubbaland would proceed with its own election.
President Madobe left Mogadishu on Saturday after withdrawing from the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting.
The NCC, which was supposed to deliberate on election and security issues, failed to produce any agreement due to deep disagreements between the federal government and regional states.
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The summit, which had been ongoing since October 2nd, ended without any resolution, adding further uncertainty to Somalia’s political landscape.
The key issue of contention reportedly arose when the federal member states demanded the creation of their own regional-level electoral commissions, a proposal rejected by President Hassan Sheikh.
The regional states on their hand opposed plans for term extension suggested by president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, as per sources.
Madobe told his cabinet that extending the term for either the federal states or the federal government was not an option, as the current administrations have already exceeded their electoral mandates.
JUBBALAND TO HOLD ELECTIONS
Jubbaland is poised to become the first federal state to conduct an independent election, one not overseen by the federal government.
During the Mogadishu summit, Hassan Sheikh attempted to pressure regional leaders to accept a single electoral commission under his appointment.
There is now noticeable electoral-related activity in Kismayo.
Sources within Jubbaland’s cabinet have confirmed that President Madobe is once again running as a candidate for the Jubbaland presidency.
If Jubbaland holds its independent election, it is anticipated that other federal states such as South West State, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug will follow suit.
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