Mogadishu, Puntland top delegates arrive at Kismayu ahead of Madobe’s inauguration

KISMAYU—An envoy made up of former Somali leaders, regional state presidents and legislators arrived at Kismayu on Thursday ahead of Madobe’s inauguration slated for Saturday.

Immediate former President, Hasan Sheikh Mohamud and his predecessor, Sheikh Shariff Sheikh Ahmed arrived late in the afternoon from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. They were accompanied by Federal MPs and senators.

The Mogadishu delegates were preceded by another delegation from Puntland State led by the president, Said Abdullahi Deni and several regional legislators. President Deni was accompanied by the former Puntland leader, Abdullahi Faroola.

Deni said the “people of Puntland were happy and in support of the direction taken by the people of Jubbaland,” adding that it would have been impossible to stop him from flying to Kismayu for the inauguration ceremony.

“We will not allow the control of the airspace to be used as a weapon of oppression,” President Deni stated. He was reacting to an incident two weeks ago where former President, Sheikh Sharif was stopped at the Aden Adde Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Kismayu. The incident caused major political re-alignment and possible coalition ahead of the 2020 presidential elections.

Both delegations were welcomed by the Jubbaland State President, Ahmed Madobe whose re-election victory was challenged by the federal president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Another delegation from Kenya led by Garissa senator Yussuf Haji, Majority Leader Aden Duale and several MPs and senators from Nothern Kenya are expected on Friday or early Saturday.