Kismayo, Jubbaland — Political attention is firmly fixed on the port city of Kismayo as Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe returned on Friday ahead of a high-stakes visit by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, expected on Sunday.
The back-to-back arrivals signal the start of critical political consultations that could shape Somalia’s governance trajectory over the next two years.
According to regional and federal sources, the two leaders will engage in intensive discussions on the 2026 elections model, constitutional amendments, and the broader political settlement between the Federal Government and Federal Member States.
Local officials say President Madobe’s early return is intended to prepare the ground for dialogue and ensure tight security coordination ahead of the federal president’s visit.
Kismayo, the administrative capital of Jubbaland, has historically played a central role in negotiations on power-sharing and electoral frameworks.
Talks are expected to address lingering disputes over the format of the next national elections, including whether Somalia will shift fully to one-person-one-vote or retain aspects of the clan-based power-sharing system.
Constitutional review efforts—particularly around separation of powers, term limits, and federal competencies—are also on the agenda.
Political observers note that the meeting comes at a time of renewed momentum among regional leaders, following consultations in Nairobi that sparked calls for consensus-building and institutional clarity.
The anticipated dialogue in Kismayo is being closely watched by parliamentarians, civil society actors, and international partners seeking signs of compromise and progress.
Security forces from both Jubbaland and the federal government are coordinating to secure transport corridors, key meeting venues, and the Kismayo airport ahead of President Hassan Sheikh’s arrival.
If successful, the talks could ease tensions between Villa Somalia and regional administrations while laying a foundation for a unified roadmap toward the 2026 vote. However, analysts warn that disagreements over timelines, implementation mechanisms, and constitutional authority remain major hurdles.
For now, Kismayo stands at the center of national attention as the country’s top political figures prepare for negotiations with far-reaching implications for Somalia’s future.