More Jubaland Forces Join SNA in Ras Kamboni Amid Madobe Fall-Out with Mogadishu

GOOBJOOG NEWS|RAS KAMBONI: More troops from under Jubaland government has joined federal forces in the southern tip of Raas Kamboni as tensions between the Federal Government and the newly elected President of Jubaland intensify.

On Sunday, four boats carrying Jubaland soldiers headed to the shores of Ras Kamboni to join the Somali National Army amid reports of defections in the Jubaland state forces. State media reported that the soldiers would join hands with the SNA in waging war against Al-Shabaab in Badhaadhe district, where Ras Kamboni is located.

Several other troops from Jubaland who had crossed to Ras Kamboni were airlifted to Mogadishu earlier in the week where they were registered and rehatted into the SNA.

The Federal Government deployed troops to Ras Kamboni late last month following the controversial re-election of Ahmed Madobe as president of Jubaland for another five years. The Federal Government has since dismissed the process and sought a court order to arrest Madobe.

Jubaland government responded by issuing an arrest warrant on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Tensions between the two sides have escalated amid calls by the international community for a dial-down and resolution.

Madobe became the interim leader of Jubaland interim administration from 2012 and was formally elected the President of the Jubaland Federal Member State in 2015. He has since won subsequent elections making him the longest serving FMS leader in Somalia.