Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe has been re-elected as the president of Jubbaland State of Somalia for a third term, securing 55 votes in an election conducted by the Jubbaland House of Representatives. Faisal Mohamed Mataan received 16 votes, and Abubakar Abdi Hassan garnered four. Madobe expressed gratitude to the legislators and praised his challengers for respecting the results.
However, the re-election has not been without controversy. Opposition groups, disputing the legitimacy of Madobe’s leadership, held a parallel election last week, declaring Senator Ilyas Gabose as their president supported by Somali federal Government. The opposition also formed a separate parliament and appointed its own speakers, intensifying the political standoff in the region.
Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has declared Madobe’s re-election unconstitutional, citing term limits outlined in Somalia’s provisional charter. Barre criticized the process, accusing Madobe of prioritizing personal ambitions over national unity. Relations between the federal government and Jubbaland have worsened further, with Madobe withdrawing from a National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu. Aligning with Puntland, he called for broader regional representation in electoral discussions.
Tensions in Jubbaland have escalated, particularly in Kismayo, where a gunfight erupted between Jubbaland police and the security guards of Senator Gabose. The clash occurred near a hotel where opposition leaders were meeting, leaving one guard dead and two others injured. Witnesses reported that the altercation began when Gabose’s vehicle was denied entry by police.
Amid these developments, Somalia’s parliament recently approved amendments introducing universal suffrage, replacing the clan-based indirect voting system. The reforms, backed by 169 lawmakers, include direct presidential elections and the creation of a multi-party system with three official political parties. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2026, and the new system is expected to transform Somalia’s electoral landscape.
Despite the federal government’s push for these changes, Jubbaland and Puntland leaders remain opposed, citing concerns about implementation and regional autonomy. Former Somali presidents have also expressed skepticism about the framework.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has denied allegations of involvement in Jubbaland’s electoral process. Reaffirming its neutrality, ATMIS called for constructive dialogue between federal and regional authorities to address the ongoing disputes peacefully. In a statement, the mission emphasized its commitment to supporting Somalia’s state-building efforts, including the transition to universal suffrage.
As political tensions continue, Jubbaland’s disputed elections reflect the broader challenges facing Somalia in achieving unity, stability, and democratic governance.