Somalia PM Roble visits Kismayu as preparations for the upcoming indirect elections builds.

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble made a two-day trip to Kismayu in Jubbaland federal state for talks on the upcoming indirect elections.

The two day trip was significant as Jubbaland faces a race against time to reconcile wrangling communities in Gedo region near the border with Kenya, and have them agree on venues for elections and how to nominate delegates for the vote.

PM Roble was welcomed at Kismayu airport by Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe.

The town was once a forte for al-Shabaab, but this time a guard of honour was on hand to receive the Premier before he headed to the state’s presidential palace.

PM Roble said the aim of the trip was to solve the problem associated with the holding of the indirect election in Gedo region, particularly in Garbaharrey town, the region’s capital.

Ever since Madobe was re-elected president of Jubbaland State in a controversial vote in August 2019, the control of Gedo region had been a bone of contention between the state and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).

Gedo together with Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba, is one of the regions united under Jubbaland State of Somalia. Jubbaland itself is one the five states that are members of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Within days of Madobe being announced president, the vast majority of the leaders in Gedo region opposed his authority and the FGS sent troops to support the Gedo administration that chose to be independent from Madobe.

The situation created mistrust and feud between Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Jubbaland’s Madobe.

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