POSSIBLE RELEASE? Madobe meets ex-ONLF leader Muse

The cabinet declared Muse a terrorist last year but the Federal Parliament differed

Jubbaland president Ahmed Madobe’s meeting with former ONLF senior leader Abdikarim Muse aka Qalbidagax in Addis Ababa has generated mixed reactions months after the government declared him a terrorist.

Pictures from the Addis show Muse in cheerful mood with Madobe in what has become a subject of debate online. The Cabinet handed over Muse last August to Ethiopian government sparking sharp reactions from the public including demonstrations both in the country and Kenya.

The Federal Parliament in November 18 declared the ‘extradition’ of Muse as unconstitutional but the government defended its move terming Muse a terrorist. Goobjoog News also understood a section of ministers expressed displeasure over the move to hand over Muse.

Muse met with Madobe during the Jubbaland leader’s visit to Addis Ababa in which he held meetings with the new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. It was not immediately clear if Madobe discussed possible release of Muse with the Ethiopian government. The new administration in Addis has sought to heal the rift that has divided the country which led to several months of unrest from 2016 resulting into the resignation of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Several political detainees, activists and journalist have been released since the resignation of Desalegn.