Beled-Hawo, Somalia — Tensions have escalated once again in the strategic border city of Beled-Hawo following the arrival of Abdirashid Janan, the newly appointed regional chief of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) for Jubbaland. Janan, formerly a key figure in Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe’s administration, arrived in the city escorted by federal forces, triggering a renewed sense of unrest in the long-contested Gedo region.
Janan’s return marks a dramatic political realignment. Once at the forefront of the Jubbaland government’s armed confrontation with Mogadishu in 2020, he has now pledged allegiance to the federal government under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. His surprise comeback, backed by military presence, has reignited deep-rooted rivalries between Jubbaland loyalists and federal authorities.
Local sources in Beled-Hawo report increased deployment of troops and checkpoints throughout the city since Janan’s arrival. Businesses remain shuttered and residents are reportedly fearful of potential armed clashes.
Federal officials have yet to release a statement explaining Janan’s mission or the broader strategy behind his reappointment. However, his presence in the region — a key flashpoint between Jubbaland and the federal government — is widely seen as part of President Mohamud’s broader push to assert federal authority in southern Somalia, especially in the Gedo corridor.
Jubbaland authorities have not officially responded to Janan’s defection or deployment but insiders suggest the move could further strain relations between Kismayo and Mogadishu.
Abdirashid Janan, once accused of serious human rights violations during his tenure as Jubbaland’s security minister, had previously evaded arrest warrants issued by the federal government. His sudden political rehabilitation and installation as NISA chief in Jubbaland is seen by observers as a high-stakes gamble aimed at undermining Madobe’s influence in the region.
As political and military tensions mount, international partners are urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further destabilization in a region already battling insecurity, displacement, and humanitarian crises.