Jubaland crisis

Last updated
Jubaland crisis
Part of the Somali Civil War and constitutional crisis in Somalia
Location jubaland.png
Location of Jubaland
Date11 December 2024 (2024-12-11) – present
(9 months and 5 days)
Location
Status Ongoing
Territorial
changes
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Units involved

Jubaland Dervish Force

  • Birjeex
  • Hanqadh
  • Abris
  • Jubaland presidential guard

Supported by:
Flag of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (3).svg Ethiopian National Defense Force [5]

Coat of arms of the Somali Armed Forces.svg Somali Armed Forces

Gor Gor Brigade


The Jubaland crisis is an ongoing armed conflict in southern Somalia. Stemming from a constitutional dispute between the Somali Federal Government (led by President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre) and the semi-autonomous state of Jubaland, following Ahmed Madobe's re-election to serve for a third term as Jubaland's president.

Contents

Background

Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, adopted in 2012, established a federal system of government consisting of two levels: the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the semi-autonomous Federal Member States (FMS). The provisional constitution sought to prevent the reemergence of an authoritarian central government, such as that under former President Siad Barre, and to address historical grievances by devolving powers to member states. The provisions delineating the Somali federal system are limited, and the federal government must negotiate with member states over its role and authority. [6]

The ambiguity has led to competing interpretations of federal governance. Some state governments favor greater autonomy, even asserting control of powers designated for the FGS, while others support a stronger central government. These disagreements have contributed to recurring tensions between the federal and state governments over the past two decades. [6]

A constitutional crisis began on 30 March 2024, when the Federal Parliament of Somalia approved a series of constitutional amendments aimed at establishing a more "stable political system". These changes included a return to universal suffrage, replacing the decades old clan-based electoral system, and granting the president authority to appoint the prime minister without requiring parliamentary approval. Critics argued that the reforms significantly expanded executive power. In response, the semi-autonomous state of Puntland announced the following day that it was withdrawing its recognition and confidence in the Federal Government of Somalia. It called for a "mutually accepted Somali constitution that is subject to a public referendum" and declared that, until such a constitution is in place, it would operate independently. [7] [8]

In October, the National Consultative Council (NCC) convened federal and state officials to discuss democratisation and security. During the meeting, the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to advancing electoral reforms, but proposed a one-year extension of the terms of all state presidents until the universal suffrage system could be implemented. [6]

The leaders of Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and South West states accepted the proposal, but Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, also known as Ahmed Madobe, rejected it. [6] Negotiations on the reform continued in Kenya in early November, [9] as Jubaland officials insisted on complete independence from the federal government in election administration. [10] [11] In any case, negotiations were overtaken by the expiration of Madobe's term of office. [12]

Controversial election

Defying the federal government, Jubaland amended its own constitution to override the federal two-term limit. It also extended presidential terms from four to five years. [6] Local authorities prepared for a presidential election on 25 November 2024, while rival candidates backed by the federal government announced a parallel election. [13] [14]

On 23 November, the conflict turned violent in Kismayo, Jubaland's capital. A gunfight between Jubaland police and the federal candidates' security guards killed one security officer and injured two others. [15]

On 25 November, Madobe won a third term. [6]

Post-election violence

Approximate map of the current phase of the Somali Civil War (Updated June 2025)
Somalia:
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Under control of the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, and the United States
Under Control of Puntland
Under Control of Jubaland
Jihadist insurgent groups:
Under presence/control of al-Qaeda-backed al-Shabaab and allies
Under control of Islamic State-backed Somalia Wilayah
Somaliland:
Under control of the self-declared state of Somaliland
(For a more detailed map of the current military situation, see here.) Somali Civil War (Google Live Map).svg
Approximate map of the current phase of the Somali Civil War (Updated June 2025)
Flag of Somalia.svg Somalia:
  Under Control of Puntland
  Under Control of Jubaland

AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg Jihadist insurgent groups:
  Under presence/control of al-Qaeda-backed al-Shabaab and allies
  Under control of Islamic State-backed Somalia Wilayah

Flag of Somaliland.svg Somaliland:
  Under control of the self-declared state of Somaliland

(For a more detailed map of the current military situation, see here.)

Two days after the election, the Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu issued an arrest warrant for Madobe, accusing him of treason, violating the constitutional framework, leaking classified information to foreign actors, and undermining national unity. [6] [16] The following day, Jubaland state suspended relations and cooperation with the federal government. [17] A court in Kismayo announced a $100,000 reward for the arrest of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of treason, undermining national unity, and conspiring with Al-Shabaab. [18] [19]

A month later, large-scale violence began. On 23 December, Jubaland forces and their Ethiopian backers defeated the Somali Armed Forces in a battle for control of Dolow, Gedo region. [20] [21] Other defeats occurred at Ras Kamboni and Kulbiyow. [22] [23] [24] The same day, Hassan Nuur Cabdi, the mayor of Badhadhe District, Lower Juba, survived an ambush attack which killed at least five of his security personnel. [25] [26] The federal government retaliated with a flight ban on Jubaland, particularly affecting the cities of Kismayo and Doolow. [22] [23] [24] They also halted work on local economic development projects. [27]

The Jubaland State Cabinet later accused Somalia’s federal government of weaponizing international humanitarian aid. [28] [29] The Somali federal government had earlier announced the delivery of 700 tons of food aid from the United Arab Emirates, [30] They said Jubaland received 300 tons, and Puntland received 200 tons. However, both Jubaland and Puntland denied receiving the aid. [31]

On 4-5 February, Jubaland forces regained control of Bardhere District, Gedo region. Federal forces reportedly withdrew after units stationed at headquarters for several months disbanded. [32] The battle also killed Mohamed Ilyas Caagane, the federal government's appointed commissioner for Bardhere District. [33]

On 2 July, heavy fighting between Jubaland forces and the Somali National Army killed at least ten people in Beled Hawo, near the Somalia–Kenya border. Both sides claimed victory: Jubaland forces claimed to have taken over the district headquarters and the entire city, while the FGS claimed that its troops had successfully repelled the attack. [34] [35] In August, federal forces launched an offensive around the village of Tuulo Aamin against Jubbaland fighters who had assembled nearby. Residents reported sustained gunfire and explosions during the engagement, which involved the use of both heavy and light weapons. The fighting occurred shortly after federal troops solidified their hold on the Balad Hawo district. No casualty figures or official statements were released by either side. [36]

References

  1. 1 2 "Somali Federal Government Lost and Jubaland Forces Secured Full Control of Ras Kamboni".
  2. "Somalia: Jubaland Forces Defect to Somali Army Amid Clashes". AllAfrica. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  3. "Kenya to help 600 stranded Somalia soldiers to return home". Nation.
  4. "Ethiopian and Jubaland forces seize Dolow after deadly clashes with Somali army". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  5. "Ethiopian and Jubaland forces seize Dolow after deadly clashes with Somali army". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dr. Tesema, Dereje; Dr. Mohammed, Zerihun (14 Jan 2025). "Federal feud: Escalating tensions between Somalia's federal government and Jubaland". Good Governance Africa. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  7. "Somalia: Puntland pulls recognition of federal government – DW – 03/31/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  8. "Somalia's Puntland refuses to recognise federal government after disputed constitutional changes". Reuters. 2024-03-31. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  9. "Waa kuwama saddexda nin ee Kenya kasoo jeeda ee dhexdhexaadinaya dowladda federaalka iyo Jubaland?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  10. "Jubaland maxay ka tiri hadalkii uu ra'iisulwasaare Xamse ku dhaliilay madaxdeeda?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. "Jubaland oo si adag uga jawaabtay hadalkii Ra'iisul Wasaare Xamse". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  12. "Somalia PM: Ahmed Madobe's Re-election Bid in Jubaland Illegal". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  13. Obala, Roselyne. "NTV Kenya: Jubaland: Rival candidates announce parallel election plans". NTV Kenya. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  14. Obala, Roselyne (2024-11-23). "Jubaland: Rival candidates announce parallel election plans". NATION. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  15. "Gunfight in Kismayo leaves one dead, heightens Federal-Jubbaland tensions". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  16. "Somali Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Jubaland Leader". Agence France Presse (AFP). 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  17. "Somalia's Jubbaland government suspends ties with federal administration". Reuters. 2024-11-28. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  18. "Tit-for-tat arrest warrants escalate Somalia-Jubaland political crisis". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  19. 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2024-11-27). "Jubaland Regional Court Issues Arrest Warrant for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Charges of Treason". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  20. "Clashes Break Out in Somali Border Town Between Federal and Jubaland Forces". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  21. "Ethiopian and Jubaland forces seize Dolow after deadly clashes with Somali army". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  22. 1 2 "Somalia bans flights to Jubaland as tensions escalate". The Eastleigh Voice News. 2024-12-24. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  23. 1 2 Jama (2024-12-24). "FGS Imposes Flight Ban on Jubaland Amid Military Setbacks". Somali News in English | The Somali Digest. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  24. 1 2 "Somalia: FGS's Aerial Lockdown on Jubaland Sparks New Conflict, Strands Travelers". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  25. 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2024-12-23). "Heavy Clashes Breakout Among Doolow, Gedo Region, and Kulbiyoow Lower Juba Region Between Somali Federal Troops and Jubaland Forces". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  26. "Jubbaland accuses federal government of attacking Badhadhe district commissioner". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  27. "Jubaland oo Dowladda federaalka ku eedeysay siyaasadeynta Gargaarka iyo mashaariicdii Jubaland". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  28. "Jubbaland Cabinet accuses federal government of politicizing humanitarian aid and flights". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  29. "Jubaland oo sheegtay inay gaar ula macaamilayso Hay'addaha Caalamiga ah iyo Beesha Caalamka | Horseed Media". Horseed Media – Latest Somali News & Analysis. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  30. "UAE delivers 700 tons of food aid to drought-stricken Somalia". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  31. "Somalia: Puntland Minister Denies FGS Aid Claims, Accuses SoDMA of Corruption". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  32. "Jubbaland forces retake Bardhere district Headquarters after federal troops withdraw". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  33. "Deadly Clashes in Somalia's Bardhere Claim Lives of Key Officials". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  34. "Fierce Clashes Erupt Between Somalia's Federal Forces and Jubaland Troops in Balad-Hawo Town". Somali Guardian. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  35. "Jubaland forces claim control of Beled-Hawo after heavy fighting with federal troops". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  36. "Heavy fighting erupts between Somali government, Jubbaland forces near Kenyan border". Hiiraan Online. 11 August 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-11.