KISMAYO (KAAB TV) – High-level political talks between the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the President of the Jubbaland regional state have collapsed once again, extending a seven-month impasse between the two sides. The long-anticipated discussions, held in the coastal city of Kismayo, concluded late last night without reaching any meaningful consensus, according to officials close to the matter.
Sources confirm that the meetings, which were mediated in part by a delegation from neighboring Kenya, failed due to deep-seated disagreements between the federal and regional leaders. Both parties reportedly stood firm on their respective positions, leaving no room for compromise or immediate progress.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has approximately seven months remaining in his current term, had traveled to Kismayo via Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan International Airport.
Upon his departure, he was formally seen off by Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, widely known as Ahmed Madobe, marking the end of the latest round of failed negotiations.
One of the key sticking points during the discussions centered around the upcoming Jubbaland elections. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had reportedly urged Ahmed Madobe to step down from his role in organizing the elections and to allow a more transparent, person-and-vote-based electoral process—one aligned with national electoral reforms.
Additionally, the federal president pushed for Jubbaland to rejoin the National Consultative Council, a federal platform aimed at aligning political processes across all regions of Somalia.
However, President Madobe has thus far refused to relinquish control over the regional electoral process, arguing for the autonomy of Jubbaland’s internal political mechanisms. This intransigence has contributed to the prolonged deadlock.
Despite the breakdown in talks, official sources suggest that a joint statement may soon be issued, indicating that the discussions are expected to resume at an unspecified future date.
This, observers note, is a face-saving measure designed to maintain a semblance of dialogue while both leaders return to their respective political bases.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan mediation team—tasked with facilitating a breakthrough between the two leaders—has reportedly returned to Nairobi after failing to bring the sides closer to agreement. Kenya, which shares a border with Jubbaland and has security and political interests in Somalia, has been playing a key diplomatic role in recent months.
The continued political rift between the federal government and Jubbaland underscores the broader challenges facing Somalia as it seeks to stabilize its federal system and prepare for national elections.
With time running short in the current presidential term, the unresolved disputes between Mogadishu and regional states threaten to undermine progress on crucial governance and security matters.
As the situation develops, both local citizens and international observers will be closely watching to see whether further negotiations can be salvaged—or whether Somalia will enter another phase of political fragmentation.