Madobe rebellion threatens Somalia’s political reform agenda

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Inset: Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohammed Islam Madobe (top) and Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.

Photo credit: File

Kenya was this week drawn into the simmering dispute between the federal government of Somalia and the Jubbaland state administration, a clash that could potentially distract the Horn of Africa country from pursuing the militant group al-Shabaab.

And while Jubbaland has always been important to Kenya’s counter-terrorism strategy, Nairobi was forced to take in fleeing Somali troops after they met strong resistance from Jubbaland forces.