President Mohamud in Kismayo as Federal–Regional Tensions Ease

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KISMAYO: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Kismayo, marking his first visit to Jubaland in over a year amid signs of easing tensions between the federal government and the semi-autonomous regional administration.

The trip, part of Mogadishu’s broader push to strengthen national unity and advance state-building, follows months of quiet mediation led by Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. Those efforts helped defuse political and military confrontations that erupted last year in the Raaskaambooni and Gedo regions.

Officials said an advance team from Villa Somalia had held coordination meetings with Jubaland leaders earlier in the week to prepare for the president’s arrival.

Hundreds of residents, local officials, and security forces gathered at Kismayo Airport to welcome the president and his delegation. Streets across the southern port city were lined with billboards bearing his image and messages of goodwill, reflecting cautious optimism over a possible thaw in relations.

During his stay, President Mohamud is expected to meet Jubaland’s leadership and hold consultative talks aimed at aligning federal and regional priorities, part of ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and cooperation across Somalia.