Jubbaland authorities have taken control of forces loyal to Abdirashid Janan in the border town of Beled Hawo, Gedo region, following negotiations between the two sides, according to information emerging from the discussions.
Janan reportedly boarded a Kenyan government military aircraft in Mandera on Friday morning and travelled towards Nairobi after completing arrangements for the handover of the troops stationed in Beled Hawo.
Officials, most of them from Jubbaland’s intelligence service, subsequently arrived at positions previously occupied by forces under Janan’s command.
The troops had previously been affiliated with or registered under Somalia’s federal government when Janan served as the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) commander in Gedo region.
The reported handover marks a significant shift in the security situation in Beled Hawo, where control of local forces has been a source of tension between Jubbaland and federal authorities.
According to information from the negotiations, Jubbaland has now assumed control of the forces after more than a year of continued uncertainty over the town’s security arrangements.
The transfer reportedly took place without any fighting, with negotiations helping to resolve tensions that had persisted between the two sides.
Janan is also expected to meet Jubbaland officials in Nairobi to finalise a preliminary agreement reached during the discussions, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Further details of the agreement, including the future command structure of the troops and any broader political arrangements, have not been officially confirmed.
The development could have implications for the balance of power in Gedo, a strategically important region bordering Kenya and Ethiopia.
The extent to which the handover eases wider tensions will depend on the implementation of the agreement and whether the new security arrangements are accepted by the other parties involved.