Jubbaland, Somalia – Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe has firmly rejected attempts by international mediators to broker a private settlement between him and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, insisting that any engagement must be tied to a broader national process.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, mediators had hoped to initiate direct talks between the two leaders in an effort to ease growing political tensions ahead of the 2026 elections. However, Madobe reportedly made it clear that he would not entertain what he described as “side deals” outside the framework of the Somali Salvation Forum — a coalition of political actors pushing for a unified approach to resolving the electoral impasse.
Madobe signaled a willingness to participate in a comprehensive national agreement on the 2026 polls and expressed readiness to reintegrate Jubbaland fully into the federal system. But he drew a firm line against bilateral bargaining with Villa Somalia, stressing that he would “not cut a separate deal with the Somali President.”
Political insiders say President Mohamud has favored a piecemeal strategy — negotiating independently with individual rivals to weaken collective opposition. Critics argue this “divide-and-rule” approach has prolonged the stalemate over the electoral framework and undermined efforts toward inclusive dialogue.
Madobe’s latest position now raises the stakes for both domestic and international actors pushing for a breakthrough. With federal-member-state leaders increasingly aligning behind joint demands, pressure is mounting on Mogadishu to abandon fragmented negotiations and commit to a single, transparent national roadmap.
Whether President Mohamud will embrace that approach — or continue to pursue individual alliances — could determine the course of Somalia’s political future.