MOGADISHU, Somalia – Tensions are once again flaring up in Somalia’s Gedo region, as disputes between the Jubbaland administration and the Federal Government resurface. The situation is particularly tense in Beled Hawo district, where rival movements have been reported over the past few days.
Sources on the ground say the latest escalation comes after Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe sent senior officials and a unit of Darawish forces into Beled Hawo — a move that many see as a direct challenge to the federal authorities.
Nur Ahmed Diriye, a member of parliament from Gedo and deputy chair of the House Committee for Security and Internal Affairs, strongly criticized the latest developments, accusing Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe of attempting to seize control of the district. He warned that the deployment of Jubbaland forces to Beled Hawo could ignite fresh conflict in the region.
“To those forces camped in Beled Hawo, we say: pull back. The town doesn’t need war, it doesn’t need invasion,” said MP Nur Ahmed.
He also questioned why Beled Hawo was being specifically targeted. “Why is Beled Hawo being occupied? Why not other towns? This needs to be addressed,” he added.
Nur Ahmed urged federal forces stationed across Gedo to uphold security and stability, emphasizing their responsibility for maintaining order across the region. “We, at the federal level, have entrusted security to the various Somali National Army units deployed across the districts,” he said.
The standoff comes at a critical time, as Somalia prepares for upcoming elections. Both the Federal Government and Jubbaland appear to be vying for influence over Gedo, a region seen as strategically important in the country’s ongoing political battles.
HORN LIFE
