Gedo, Jubbaland – Somalia’s State Minister for Internal Affairs, Sadad Alio, has pushed back against mounting speculation that the federal government is orchestrating plans to establish an alternate administration in the Gedo region to rival Jubbaland’s leadership.
Speaking candidly in a recent media interview, Alio dismissed the claims as “baseless political noise,” insisting that Mogadishu remains committed to dialogue rather than division. His remarks come amid renewed tension between the federal government and Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, whose 2019 re-election has long been contested by federal authorities and sections of the opposition.
Alio voiced guarded optimism about the possibility of progress in federal-Jubbaland talks, revealing that communication channels with President Madobe remain open. However, he made no attempt to hide his reservations over Jubbaland’s current leadership structure, suggesting that Madobe’s claim to a new mandate remains questionable.
“Our approach has always been to seek stability through engagement. But that engagement must be grounded in legitimacy and consensus,” he said.
Gedo region, strategically located along the Kenyan border, has often served as the flashpoint in the power struggle between Jubbaland and the federal government. Allegations of competing security deployments and parallel administrations have fueled concerns of renewed confrontation. Alio’s firm denial appears aimed at easing tensions, even as political undercurrents remain unresolved.
Analysts say his remarks signal Mogadishu’s desire to avoid fresh instability ahead of the broader national reconciliation process. Whether Jubbaland’s leadership reads it as an olive branch—or a veiled challenge—remains to be seen.