Political Tensions Rise in Somalia as Jubaland President Exits National Consultative Council meeting

Published: October 7, 2024
by: Abdirisaq Shino

Mogadishu, Somalia – Ahmed Mohamed Islan, President of Jubaland, abruptly departed from Mogadishu on Monday after a National Consultative Council meeting that failed to yield results. The NCC meeting, which commenced last Thursday, struggled to find common ground on key issues, particularly the contentious scheduling of regional elections.

Ahmed Madobe left the meeting after rejecting a proposed agreement put forth by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Central to the discord was the elections for the federal members of states, which have already been postponed. President Hassan Sheikh, along with leaders from South West, Galmudug, Jubaland and Hir-Shabelle states, had previously reached an agreement to synchronize elections with those of Hir-shabelle, planned for November 2024. However, efforts by President Hassan Sheikh to delay these elections further to November 2025 met with staunch opposition from Madobe.

The collapse of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting poses considerable challenges for Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre, who is from Jubaland.

The withdrawal of the Jubaland President follows Puntland’s rejection of the NCC meetings.

HORSEED MEDIA