Mogadishu, (Idil News) – The Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu has issued an arrest warrant for Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, accusing him of treason and violating the constitution, according to state media reports.
The charges, brought at the request of Somalia’s Attorney General, include allegations of sharing classified national information with foreign entities, acting against the constitution, and undermining the country’s unity and sovereignty.
The move has sparked criticism from political analysts and opposition figures, who view the charges as politically motivated and part of a broader strategy by the Somali federal government to consolidate power. Some argue that similar accusations have not been leveled against Somaliland, a breakaway region that has openly pursued secession, raising questions about the selective application of legal measures.
“Today Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has done what no other leader in Somalia has done/dared to do ever – demand arrest of an elected federal state president.” Posted on X by Rashid Abdi
“This is unprecedented and could dangerously escalate political tensions, especially in a fragile state like Somalia,” said Dr Xiddig, a political analyst. “The arrest warrant risks igniting clan conflicts and undermining the fragile federal system.”
Jubaland–Mogadishu Rising Tensions
The arrest warrant follows the re-election of Ahmed Madobe as Jubaland’s president on Monday, November 25, his third term in office. The re-election was marred by tensions with based-government in Mogadishu, which had previously deployed armed forces to Kamboni in Jubaland’s Lower Juba region.
Since October, relations between Jubaland and the federal government have gotten worse. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud changed the provisional constitution on 30 April, which was rejected by Puntland and Jubaland states. Puntland subsequently declared its independence, citing Article 4 of its constitution, with Jubaland cutting ties with federal institutions soon after.
Opposition leaders accuse President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of overstepping his authority and violating the country’s provisional charter. “How can the president accuse others of treason while he himself has broken Chapter 7 of the provisional constitution?” asked a senior Jubaland official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Implications for Somalia’s Stability
The arrest warrant has drawn warnings from stakeholders about the potential for escalating tensions between Somalia’s federal government and its member states. Somalia is already grappling with ongoing security threats from the al-Shabaab militant group, and analysts fear the political discord could further destabilize the country.