Sunday March 30, 2025
FILE - From left to right: Ahmed Madobe, President of Jubbaland; Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former President of Somalia; Hassan Ali Khaire, former Prime Minister of Somalia; and Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, Member of Parliament.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's call for peace talks has elicited mixed reactions across the political spectrum. While Jubbaland has strongly supported the initiative, Puntland has refrained from comment, and key former leaders have offered conditional backing.
On Sunday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called for political unity to confront the nation's dual challenges: defeating the Al-Shabaab insurgency and strengthening Somalia's fragile federal system. Speaking during Eid al-Fitr celebrations, the President emphasized that the fight against Al-Shabaab—an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group that has waged a violent insurgency for over 15 years—requires broad political consensus. He invited all political leaders, including his rivals, to participate in this national effort, signalling his desire for inclusivity in both counterterrorism and state-building initiatives.
The President's call for national unity is crucial in this context. Al-Shabaab's continued threat makes political cohesion essential for any successful counterterrorism strategy. However, this appeal comes at a time of heightened political tensions between the Somali federal government and key regional states, including Puntland and Jubbaland.
Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) was quick to express his full support for the peace talks. In a statement released on March 30, 2025, Madobe underscored the importance of the initiative, describing it as an essential opportunity to unite the country in its battle against Al-Shabaab. Madobe emphasized that Somalia's primary focus must be the defeat of Al-Shabaab, urging political factions to set aside their internal disputes and concentrate on this shared goal.
The endorsement from Jubbaland's leadership is major, as the region has often clashed with the federal government over matters of autonomy and governance. Madobe's support for the peace talks marks a notable moment in Somalia's ongoing political dialogue. The call for unity, however, contrasts sharply with the silence from Puntland.
In contrast, the Puntland administration has not issued a formal response to the peace talks call. Puntland's Minister of Information, Mahamoud Aidid Dirir, declined to comment when asked about the region's position. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni had previously expressed openness to political dialogue, but it remains unclear whether this stance aligns with the current peace talks initiative.
Puntland has long sought greater autonomy from the central government, and its leaders have expressed concerns about federal policies, particularly the "one person, one vote" electoral reform proposed for 2026.
The mixed responses from Jubbaland, Puntland, and other political figures spotlight the fractious nature of Somali politics.
Former Somali leaders Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Hassan Ali Khaire, and Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame also voiced support for the peace talks. In a joint statement, they praised President Hassan Sheikh's initiative, calling it a step toward addressing the nation's challenges. They emphasized the need for transparency, particularly regarding the agenda, timing, and participants, to ensure the talks produce meaningful outcomes.
The former leaders warned that terrorism and global political instability require cooperation and accountability to safeguard Somalia's future. They stressed the importance of unity in confronting Al-Shabaab and the other challenges facing the nation.