Somalia, 5 October 2025 – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia is in Kismayo, the interim capital of Jubaland for an official visit - his first tour of the region in over a year.
The visit comes at a time when relations between the federal government and Jubaland have been fraught with political tensions.
The visit comes few days after the announcement by Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe,” Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and opposition leaders from the National Salvation Forum about the formation of the new “Council for Somalia’s Future,” .
The federal government and Jubaland have been in a prolonged political standoff centered around disagreements on electoral processes.
President Madobe notably walked out of the National Consultative Forum in October 2024, objecting to the federal government’s approach to the electoral structure.
This period of political discord has also seen the re-election of President Madobe and clashes between Jubaland forces and federal troops in areas like Raaskamboni and Gedo, which have added to the strain in the relationship.
The exact agenda of the upcoming talks between President Hassan and President Madobe remains unclear, but analysts suggest that resolving the political impasse will be a key focus.
The visit is seen as an opportunity to reignite dialogue between the federal government and Jubaland.