Monday December 23, 2024
Kismayo (HOL) – The Jubbaland regional administration has accused the federal government of orchestrating an attack on Hassan Nur Abdi Gaaljecelow, the commissioner of Badhadhe district in the Lower Jubba region.
In a press release issued Monday, the Jubbaland presidency claimed that soldiers led by a former commander of the Jubbaland Darwish army in the Kulbiyow area attacked with financial backing from the federal government. However, Mogadishu has not commented on the accusations or the reported clash.
At least five soldiers from the commissioner's security detail were killed, and another was injured during the confrontation.
"The Jubbaland government clearly confirms its commitment to maintaining security in the Jubbaland areas. It is working to bring to justice all those involved in the heinous act against the delegation of the commissioner of Badhaadhe district," the statement read.
Tensions between the federal government and Jubbaland have escalated recently, with discord over governance and elections. Jubbaland rejected the federal government's plans to implement universal suffrage elections, instead holding its own indirect regional elections in November 2024.
In December 2024, federal troops and Jubbaland forces clashed over control of Raas Kambooni, a strategic town in the Lower Jubba region. The federal government has since accused Jubbaland authorities of collaborating with al-Shabab militants in a recent attack on Somali National Army (SNA) troops in the area. Jubbaland leaders have strongly denied the allegations, further straining relations between the two sides.