Somalia announced the withdrawal of federal troops from the Lower Juba region following fierce clashes with forces loyal to the semi-autonomous Jubbaland state, which has severed ties with the central government over a disputed election.
The fighting erupted Wednesday near the coastal town of Ras Kamboni, where hundreds of federal soldiers were deployed last month after Jubbaland re-elected Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe as its president in a contested vote.
Jubbaland, situated along Somalia’s borders with Kenya and Ethiopia, comprises three regions, with Lower Juba being the most populous. The state’s government suspended relations with Mogadishu in November, rejecting federal claims that Madobe’s re-election was illegitimate.
The Somali government issued a statement, emphasizing its decision to withdraw troops to prevent further conflict. “To avoid bloodshed between our forces, the Somali Government orders the withdrawal of National Security Forces from Lower Juba, prioritizing the safety of our soldiers,” the statement read. The government reiterated its commitment to focusing on combating Islamist insurgents and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Jubbaland officials claimed victory in Wednesday’s clashes, asserting that their fighters had seized Ras Kamboni and its nearby airport. Many federal soldiers reportedly surrendered. “We are sorry about what happened. It was an illegal war by the federal government,” Jubbaland’s assistant security minister, Adan Ahmed Haji, said during a press briefing.
The tensions stem from Mogadishu’s efforts to block Jubbaland’s November election, which it deemed unconstitutional due to a lack of federal oversight. The standoff led to reciprocal arrest warrants issued by Jubbaland and the central government, with Jubbaland targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Mogadishu pursuing Madobe.
The federal government stated its deployment in Ras Kamboni aimed to assume control of bases previously held by African Union peacekeepers, whose mission concludes at the end of 2023.
