Farmaajo, Madobe trade barbs as country begs for direction

GOOBJOOG NEWS|DHUSAMAREB: President Mohamed Farmaajo and Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe have traded accusations over the failure of the electoral talks in Dhusamareb which have plunged the country into uncertainty with no resolution on sight.

Information Minister Osman Dube last night absolved the president of any wrong down and instead directed blame at Madobe whom he described as the stumbling block in breaking the electoral impasse.

According to Dube, the Jubbaland leader wanted to force the government to withdraw the administration in Gedo noting that cannot happen given the fragile situation occasioned by the recent fighting in Bula Hawo that killed at least ten people.

But in a swift rejoinder this morning, Madobe lashed at the president for seeking to preserve the interests of his clan in Gedo region where he hails from.

“In the case of Gedo, we have tried everything; to reconcile, and to return Jubbaland to control the process,” Madobe said in a press conference.

“The president has managed to claim one region and one district in Somalia; a district in the Gedo region where there are seats that he says I am in control of. So the outgoing president, how can he rule Somalia if he consolidates the district with his clan?” charged Madobe.

The Gedo question zeroes into only 16 parliamentary seats whose election will take place in Gerbaharey district. The Federal Government proposed that AMISOM police provide security and oversee the process but Madobe turned it down demanding that Jubbaland administration takes charge including appointing a new governor for Gedo region.

Farmaajo has unsuccessfully sought to dethrone Madobe several times including imposing sanctions on his administration.