MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – In a meeting in Addis Ababa on Friday, Jubaland Vice President Mohamud Sayid Adan and Ethiopian Army Commander Birhanu Jula held talks focused on addressing pressing security issues in Somalia’s Gedo region, coming on the heels of a recent agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia to fortify their mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.
This week, Jubaland Vice President Mohamud Sayid Adan was flown from Kismayo to Ethiopia aboard an Ethiopian military jet, a move that has been vehemently condemned by the Somali government, which also accused Ethiopia of simultaneously sending two planes laden with weapons to land in Kismayo.
While the discussions between Adan and Jula centered on the Somali government’s operations in Gedo and Lower Juba regions, ostensibly aimed at ousting Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, the full specifics of the talks remain undisclosed.
Adan, a long-time ally of Ethiopia and a central figure in its prolonged military presence in Gedo, is widely regarded by many Somalis as Addis Ababa’s chief proxy, and has recently engaged in ongoing consultations with Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somalia regarding the escalating power struggle between Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe and the federal government, according to Caasimada Online news website.
It remains uncertain how the federal government, which views regional officials engaging in foreign meetings to discuss bilateral security and diplomatic matters as a challenge to the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity, will respond to the move, especially following the recent joint declaration in Turkey by Ethiopia and Somalia to uphold mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
