MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe flew to Kenya on Saturday, defying the air blockade imposed on his state by the Somali federal government following violent clashes between his forces and the Somali army over control of parts of the region.
Madobe embarked on the journey aboard a helicopter, marking his first trip outside Jubaland since the air embargo was enforced last year. The blockade has had a devastating impact on the region, exacerbating hardships and fueling protests against the federal government in Kismayo.
The Jubaland leader is expected to hold high-level discussions with Kenyan officials and foreign diplomats in Nairobi, just weeks after his administration declared its intent to forge independent relations with the international community. This includes seeking international assistance outside the purview of the federal government in Mogadishu.
Kenya, which Madobe visited, had previously attempted to mediate between the Jubaland president and the federal government last year. However, its diplomatic efforts failed, resulting in violent confrontations between Madobe’s forces and those sent by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to remove him from power.
Madobe, who has long cultivated strong ties with Nairobi, particularly following his rise to power in Kismayo in 2012 with the assistance of Kenyan troops after months of fighting against Al-Shabaab, now seeks to address with Kenyan officials the severe challenges and mounting pressures caused by the crippling blockade on his state.
As Madobe travels abroad amid the ongoing air blockade, which has stranded thousands and forced many to undertake perilous and costly road journeys to reach their destinations, opposition MP Abdirahman Abdishakur has called on the government to lift the embargo without delay.
Abdishakur decried the collective punishment endured by the people of Jubaland due to Madobe’s leadership, urging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to lift the embargo in solidarity with the suffering citizens, who are increasingly grappling with dire circumstances.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
