Al Shabaab attacks strategic Somalia town as it presses offensive
Al Shabaab attacks strategic Somali town as government forces struggle to contain insurgent gains.
The government of Somalia's semi-autonomous Jubbaland state said on Thursday it was suspending relations and cooperation with the federal government in Mogadishu following a dispute over local elections in the region.
Jubbaland, which borders Kenya and Ethiopia and is one of Somalia's five semi-autonomous states, re-elected regional president Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe for a third term in elections on Monday.
However, the national government based in Mogadishu, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, opposed the election, saying it was held without federal involvement.
Jubbaland is seen as the breadbasket of Somalia and the capital Kismayo is a strategically important port. Its shoreline delineates a hotly contested maritime zone, with potential oil and gas deposits, claimed by both Somalia and Kenya.
As the election row escalated, the federal government issued an arrest warrant for Madobe, while Jubbaland issued a reciprocal one for President Mohamud on Thursday.
The feud is unfolding against the backdrop of Mogadishu's fraying relationship with Somaliland, another of its regions, which is seeking international recognition as an independent country.
"The Jubbaland government has officially and completely suspended relations and cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia," Jubbaland's state house said in a statement.
Jubbaland accused Mohamud of several offences including violating the constitution, corruption, fuelling clan conflicts and jeopardising Somalia's fight against Islamist insurgents.
A regional court in Mogadishu sought Madobe's arrest on Wednesday, accusing him of treason and revealing classified information to foreign entities.
The execution of the warrants remains uncertain, as both Madobe and Mohamud command large numbers of troops.
Somalia's information minister, Daud Aweis, told Reuters that the matter was in the hands of the judiciary, which was tasked with enforcing laws through its rulings and judgements. He did not immediately respond to the severing of ties.
Jubbaland's security minister, Yusuf Dhumal, did not respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this week, the national government dispatched additional troops to Jubbaland in response to the election.
In 2021, Jubbaland was among other regional governments that nearly clashed with the national government over plans to extend the time in office of the then president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 25th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia said its air defences shot down 87 Ukrainian drones over four border regions early Thursday, while simultaneous missile-and-drone strikes on Kyiv left at least 12 people dead and more than 100 injured.
Indonesia is pressing for a “fair and square” trade deal with Washington, senior ministers said, as Jakarta hustles to head off a 32 % U.S. tariff by offering to boost American imports by up to $19 billion while safeguarding its own economic interests.
Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of former President Fernando Collor de Mello after rejecting his appeals against a corruption conviction, with a ruling from 2023 sentencing him to nearly nine years in prison for money laundering and bribery.
The U.S. military said a missile explosion that killed at least a dozen people near a UNESCO site in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, was caused by a Houthi-fired weapon, not an American airstrike, countering local claims and intensifying scrutiny over the rising civilian toll in the conflict.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment