Kismayo, (Idil News) – Jubaland authorities have accused Somalia’s federal government of orchestrating a coup attempt against state president Ahmed Mohamed Islam, commonly known as Ahmed Madobe by offering bribes to senior regional police officials.
Captain Abdikahim Hassan Arten (Jabuuti), a high-ranking Jubaland police commander, claimed he was approached with a $90,000 bribe to support an alleged plot to overthrow Madobe’s administration. Arten Jabuuti, speaking at a press conference, displayed the cash and named Mohamed Fanah, a former district commissioner now allied with Somalia’s central government, as the intermediary.
This money was sent to me by individuals connected to Villa Somalia [Somalia’s presidential office], seeking my cooperation to destabilize Jubaland’s government, Arten Jabuuti said.
The allegations were supported by Jubaland’s Police Chief, Major Artan Jabuuti, who presented financial receipts during the same briefing. He accused Somalia’s Minister of Education, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir who facilitating three separate payments amounting to $720,000 to influence regional officials.
These funds, drawn from taxpayer money and international aid, were used in an attempt to compromise Jubaland’s autonomy, added by Major Arten Jabuuti. “We will not trade our sovereignty for political bribes.”
Federal Government Yet to Respond
The Somali federal government has not commented on the allegations. However, the accusations come at a time of heightened tensions between Mogadishu and Kismayo, which has repeatedly resisted efforts to centralize power. Jubaland an autonomous region in southern Somalia, boycotted recent federal initiatives, including proposed constitutional amendments that regional leaders say threaten their autonomy.
Air Travel Disruption and Election Disputes
Adding to the unrest, Somalia’s federal government grounded flights at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport destined for Kismayo, the regional capital of Jubaland.
The federal government reportedly pressured airlines to transport troops to Ras Kamboni, near the Kenyan border, but airlines declined, fearing a confrontation with Jubaland authorities, who had warned against unauthorized military deployments.
The flight suspensions left passengers stranded and deepened the standoff between the federal government and Jubaland.
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These developments follow an election dispute that escalated into a brief firefight in late November, further straining relations between the two governments.
Jubaland state has accused federal government based in Mogadishu is attempting to undermine its electoral process to install loyalists.
Regional Implications
The mounting tensions could draw in external actors after Somalia’s government has accused Ethiopia of “interference” in its internal affairs and “creating confrontation” among communities in Gedo region.
In a statement by the Somali Ministry of Information, said;
Ethiopian troops this morning departed from Doolow to Bulo Hawo town but were blocked by the locals and Somali government forces.. Analysts suggest Addis Ababa may leverage the instability to bolster its presence in Jubaland as part of its ongoing geopolitical competition with Somalia and Egypt.
The escalating conflict reveals the fragility of Somalia’s federal system and increasing alarms about potential external and internal violence, as well as the need for greater transparency in governance.
Reporting by 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆; Editing by Idil News (Staff)