KISMAYO, Somalia – Ahmed Mohamed Islam, better known as Ahmed Madobe, has secured a third term as president of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Jubaland region, an election result that has deepened political rifts with the central government in Mogadishu.
Madobe received 55 out of 75 votes from regional parliamentarians in Kismayo, the capital of Jubaland, on Monday.
The Somali Federal Government (FGS) has denounced the election, advocating instead for a nationwide one-person-one-vote electoral system, which they argue would provide a more democratic and transparent process.
Despite the political tension, Madobe, a key regional figure since 2013, has indicated his willingness to engage in talks with Mogadishu to resolve the ongoing disputes.
The election was marred by reports of clashes between security forces and supporters of opposition candidates, highlighting the contentious atmosphere surrounding the vote.
This marks another chapter in Jubaland’s contentious electoral history, where outcomes have often been disputed at first but eventually acknowledged, casting a shadow over the stability and future relations between Jubaland and the Somali federal government.
HORN LIFE