Jubbaland accuses federal government of neglecting security, unity

Jubbaland’s regional administration on Monday accused Somalia’s federal government of neglecting key national priorities, including the fight against al-Shabaab and efforts to preserve national unity, in favor of short-term political interests.

In a strongly worded statement, the southern state said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration had “failed to deliver on security and governance,” warning that the federal leadership’s approach was eroding public trust.

“The salvation of this country lies in national unity and leadership that takes responsibility for Somalia’s future,” the statement read.

Jubbaland voiced support for the Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition of opposition figures led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, which concluded a two-day meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday.

The state described the Forum’s resolutions as “crucial for steering the country away from political turmoil.”

The Forum has accused the government of sidelining the war against al-Shabaab while prioritizing controversial land sales. It urged the administration to pursue an inclusive political settlement and accelerate local elections.

The group also demanded President Mohamud reverse what it called “illegal amendments” to Somalia’s 2012 provisional constitution, warning that the changes risk creating “conflicting legal frameworks” and plunging the country into deeper instability.

Somalia has struggled to stabilize after decades of conflict, with political rifts between the federal government and its member states frequently undermining the fight against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group that controls swathes of rural territory.

The current dispute highlights persistent tensions over power-sharing, constitutional reforms, and state autonomy, which analysts say threaten to derail security gains achieved in recent years.

Observers warn that continued fragmentation could embolden militants, complicating a U.N.-backed plan to hand over security responsibilities from African Union troops to Somali forces by the end of 2024.