JidbaaleSomali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has announced that Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe is ineligible to vie for re-election, citing Article 70 of the Jubbaland Constitution, which restricts the President to two terms.
Speaking in Mogadishu on Monday, Barre accused Madobe of pursuing personal interests counter to the Somali national agenda and breaking previously agreed accords. He denounced the continuing Jubbaland election process, characterizing it as illegitimate and supporting personal goals.
“Ahmed Madobe lacks the legality to conduct the Jubbaland election. This is unlawful, and illegal conduct cannot create a valid outcome,” Barre noted.
The Prime Minister also asked Jubbaland’s security forces to stay impartial and avoid participation in political issues. He advised Madobe against employing regional state troops for political ends, highlighting the potential for dire repercussions.
The Jubbaland Electoral and Boundaries Commission has published a timeline for the region’s legislative and presidential elections:
November 18–19: Announcement of new Jubbaland legislators.
November 20: Opening of applications for legislative Speaker candidates.
November 21: Election of the Parliament Speakers.
November 25: Jubbaland presidential election.
Tensions between the federal administration and Jubbaland have heightened after Madobe’s absence from a recent National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu. Madobe urged the participation of Puntland and SSC Khatumo in election deliberations, agreeing with Puntland’s boycott of the NCC over its disagreements with the federal administration.
