Political friction reported between the President of the North-East State of Somalia, Abdukadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye), and his Vice President, Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril (Abwaan), has come to light following the President’s return to the city of Las Anod after an absence of more than 50 days from the administration’s territories.
Firdhiye received a grand welcome at the Las Anod airport, attended by members of the administration’s governing councils, military officials, traditional elders (Isimmo), and various segments of the city’s community.
However, Vice President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril was notably absent from the welcoming event, which further intensified public discussion regarding perceived differences between the two officials.
The dispute is reportedly centered around the appointment of the commander for the 27th Division (often noted as the 26th Division) of the Somali National Army, who is said to hail from the Sanaag region.
According to incoming reports, the Vice President was not consulted on the commander’s appointment, a matter that allegedly generated divergent viewpoints between him and President Firdhiye.
This military appointment coincides with a period during which the North-East administration is placing strong emphasis on building and streamlining its security forces, particularly the integration of regional forces with the Somali National Army.
Meanwhile, citizens who welcomed Firdhiye praised his role in establishing the 27th Division Command and broader regional military affairs, alongside acknowledging his efforts in securing salary clearances for approximately 2,500 troops belonging to the North-East State of Somalia.
The Vice President’s absence from the welcoming ceremony consequently became a widely discussed topic, raising questions regarding the state of relations between the two officials and the potential impact of the reported dispute on the administration.
Nevertheless, to date, no official statement has been issued by the North-East Presidency or the Vice President explicitly confirming the friction or explaining the reason for his absence from the welcoming event.
Firdhiye has now returned to Las Anod at a time when the administration is confronting numerous challenges related to security, institutional building, and military coordination.
The President’s return is expected to prompt meetings and consultations with administration leaders, military officials, and traditional elders, with observers closely watching how the situation arising from the appointment of the 27th Division commander will be handled.
Should the reported dispute persist, it will remain crucial for both officials to work together to preserve leadership cohesion within the administration and ensure that military matters are governed by established procedures and consultation.
Hitherto, the official reason behind the Vice President’s absence from Firdhiye’s welcoming ceremony and the current status of the reported friction have not been officially clarified.