Abdi Ali Rage, a key ally and confidant of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo traveled to Kismayo on a secret mission.
Reports from the region indicate that Rage arrived in the Jubbaland capital on Monday, July 26.
His arrival is likely to spark waves of protests as it comes only a few weeks after his ejection from the region on suspicion of electoral theft.
Recently, Jubbaland officials denied the plane carrying him to Kismayo permission to land at the local airport. The plane’s pilot had no option other than returning to Mogadishu with all passengers on board.
Jubbaland is on the verge of holding local elections.
Rage’s presence in the region could hamper the efforts led by Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and Federal Member States (FMS) to ensure that elections proceed on schedule.