
Wednesday December 11, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) – Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre, and opposition lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame have denounced Wednesday's clashes between federal military forces and Jubbaland regional troops in Raskamboni, Lower Jubba.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the leaders urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and called for dialogue to resolve the escalating conflict.
"Our country is recovering from civil war, social discord, and state collapse. The principles of state reconstruction and the interim constitution clearly state that the military should not be used for politics. The federal government forces deployed to Raskamboni and the Jubbaland Dervishes they are fighting are Somali brothers and sisters, who should have used their power to confront al-Shabaab terrorists and other enemies of the Somali nation," the statement emphasized.
The opposition leaders criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alleging that his administration had shifted a political disagreement with Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe into a violent military confrontation. They reminded the government of the president's earlier commitment to resolving political disputes peacefully.
The Somali Ministry of Defense has accused forces led by President Madobe of initiating the clash by attacking Somali National Armed Forces (SNA) positions in Raskamboni. The ministry stated that the federal troops had successfully defended their positions and maintained regional stability in its statement.
The ministry also alleged that Jubbaland forces collaborated with al-Shabaab militants to facilitate the assault. "Ahmed's forces could not have reached Raskamboni without coordinating with al-Shabaab, as militants control the area between Ahmed's troops and SNA positions. This collaboration underscores a dangerous alliance," the ministry asserted, pledging severe legal action against those responsible.
The clashes in Raskamboni have further strained relations between the federal government and the Jubbaland state leader. The town's strategic location near the Kenyan border and key trade routes has made it a focal point in the ongoing power struggle, which threatens to derail anti-terror efforts and Somalia's fragile state-building progress.