The Somali government on Saturday (June 13th) recognized Ahmed Madobe, the disputed leader of the semi-autonomous region of Jubaland, located in southern Somalia, to date, after months of tension and violence.

"By recognizing the need for an administration that is mutually recognized by all local populations and in order to end the long conflicts" between Somalia and the semi-autonomous region, the government recognizes Ahmed Madobe as president of Jubaland, indicates a Somali presidency press release.

Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, an ally of Kenya, was re-elected in August 2019 after a disputed election, the results of which Mogadishu had refused to recognize.

This former warlord had chased in 2012 with the help of Kenyan troops the Shebab jihadists, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, from their stronghold in Kismayo, the regional capital.

Violence near the border with Kenya 

The crisis in Jubaland has sparked tensions between Kenya and Somalia, which accuses its big neighbor to the south of interfering in its internal affairs, in particular by supporting Ahmed Madobe.

Tensions escalated in March when heavy fighting pitted Somali troops against Jubaland troops near the Kenyan border, with Nairobi accusing the Somali military of violating its territorial integrity.

>> Read also: In Somalia, what remains of modern day pirates?

Rival factions in Jubaland had signed a peace deal welcomed by the UN.

"This agreement constitutes an important step forward to resolve the divisions born of the electoral process of August 2019," said the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (Manusom) in a statement co-signed by fifteen countries.

An electoral issue

In its statement on Saturday, the Somali presidency also invites the heads of state of the region to come and discuss in Mogadishu the elections scheduled for Somalia before February 2021.

The Somali government is criticized by observers for its propensity to seek a quarrel with the federal regions in order to gain control in the upcoming elections.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR