Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) -----In spite of significant domestic opposition, the international community has hailed the re-election of Ahmed Madobe as the president of Jubbaland administration and congratulated the region for the recent election.
In a joint statement issued late on Tuesday the international community urged Jubblanad and Somali government to work closely with other Somali stakeholders to hold constructive dialogue on the state formation process and the electoral process for 2016.
“We congratulate Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe” on being elected President of the Interim Jubba Administration by the Jubba Regional Assembly,” the joint statement said.
“We commend H.E. Madobe’s commitment to work earnestly with the committee formed by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke to address the composition of the IJA Regional Assembly and we encourage him to take steps to resolve this issue at the earliest in an inclusive manner.”
Mr. Madobe’s re-election has drawn criticism across Somalia with critics described the election as ‘sham’ and ‘gerrymandered’.
Somalia’s government remains tightlipped about the election, suggesting its discontent towards Mr. Madobe’s re-election; however, the northern Somalia semiautonomous Puntland administration has hailed it as ‘democratic’ and said it stood by the outcome.
Established in 2013, the Kismayo-based Jubbaland administration led by Ahmed Madobe is a close ally for the Kenyan government which sent thousands of troops to fight the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabab group in
Somalia after spate of attacks including kidnappings of foreign tourists in its territory.
Jubbaland’s militias control Jubba regions including Kismayo town and helped Kenyan forces to kick militants out of key strongholds including the port city of Kismayo which has long served as militants’ top revenue source until they were ousted in 2013.