Jubaland Escalates Dispute with Mogadishu, Files Formal Complaint with UN Over Gedo Crisis

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The ongoing political feud between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Jubaland regional state has escalated to the international stage, with Jubaland lodging a formal complaint with the United Nations, accusing the central government of a systematic campaign to destabilize its administration.

The Deputy President of Jubaland, Mr. Mahmoud Sayid Aden, formally submitted the complaint during a high-profile meeting with officials from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in the Gedo region on October 11, 2025. The complaint levels serious allegations against the FGS, based in Villa Somalia, of "direct interference" and "orchestrating the collapse" of Jubaland's governance, particularly in the strategic Gedo region.

The dispute is concentrated in the Gedo region, a territory within Jubaland that has long been a flashpoint in the power struggle between the Kismayo-based state government and Mogadishu. The Deputy President was strategically present in Gedo to underscore the gravity of the situation on the ground.

• The Accuser: The Jubaland administration, led by President Ahmed Madobe and represented in this matter by Deputy President Mahmoud Sayid Aden.
• The Accused: The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), referred to as "Villa Somalia."
• The International Arbiter: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), now formally drawn into the dispute as a recipient of the complaint.

Jubaland's complaint outlines a series of specific, provocative actions it attributes to the FGS, framing them as a "sinister plan." These include:

• Destabilizing Security: Deliberately undermining the regional security apparatus.
• Blocking Airports: Imposing a blockade on airports, crippling movement and commerce.
• Suspending Development Projects: Halting critical public services and infrastructure projects that the local population relies on.

Deputy President Aden warned that these actions risk severe "political and security consequences" and represent a departure from the federal constitution.

The meeting also addressed the persistent clan conflicts in the town of Luuq, where the UN committed to supporting a planned reconciliation conference. This highlights how the federal-state political rift exacerbates local conflicts. The Deputy President used the platform to call on the people of Jubaland to unite against what he termed "Mogadishu's sinister plan," emphasizing that the fate of the region should not be decided by individuals in the capital.

This move to involve the UN marks a significant intensification of a long-simmering conflict. The core issue is a struggle over autonomy, resource-sharing, and political control within Somalia's fragile federal system. The Gedo region is especially critical due to its strategic location and political weight. By taking its grievance to the UN, Jubaland is attempting to internationalize the dispute and pressure the FGS, signaling a breakdown of trust in bilateral dialogue.

Jubaland's formal appeal to the United Nations transforms its dispute with Mogadishu from a domestic political quarrel into a matter of international concern. It underscores the profound challenges facing Somalia's federal project, where power dynamics between the center and member states remain contentious and volatile. This escalation not only threatens the stability of Jubaland and the Gedo region but also risks diverting focus and resources from the national fight against Al-Shabaab, posing a significant setback to the country's broader security and state-building agenda. The international community, now formally notified, faces increased pressure to mediate before the situation deteriorates further.