Addis Ababa, November 26, 2024 (FBC) – The Ministry of Internal Security of Jubaland State has issued a statement Monday evening reaffirming “its commitment to regional sovereignty and the defense of its territories, especially in the face of escalating tensions with the Somali Federal Government.”
According to a press release, issued on Monday, the state outlined the ongoing security situation in the Jubaland region, particularly in the Gedo and Ras-Kamboni areas.
The Jubaland administration confirmed that Somali Federal Government forces recently attacked Ras-Kamboni.
“The Federal Government of Somalia has recently been involved in illegal measures that directly undermine the federal system of governance in the country. These measures have included attempts to disrupt the security and stability of Jubaland by creating political instability, the statement noted.
It was mentioned that despite recent failures to establish a presence in the Gedo region, the Federal Government deployed troops “unlawfully in Raas-Kaambooni today, where their forces are now positioned against Jubaland’s security forces.”
Pertaining to these “unexpected movements”, the Jubaland Government clarified that its government affirms that a clan-based militia, unlawfully deployed by the Federal Government from Mogadishu, has arrived in Raas-Kaambooni on Monday, “in violation of legal and constitutional procedures.”
According to the statement, no ATMIS forces have withdrawn from Raas-Kaambooni town to be replaced by clan-based militia.
The statement further confirmed that all strategic locations previously withdrawn by ATMIS forces, such as Burgavo, Kudhaa, Abdalla Birole, Elwak, and parts of Kismayo, are now under the control of Jubaland’s security forces.
Jubaland further revealed that there has been no formal or informal request made by Jubaland to the Federal Government to deploy additional troops to Ras-Kamboni or any other location in Jubaland, as the previously deployed forces by FGS “failed to fulfill their responsibilities and abandoned key defense positions”.
Moreover, the statement said Jubaland strongly asserts that the “unlawful deployment of troops to its territory is intended to “destabilize the state and undermine the security and stability” that the people of Jubaland have been enjoying.
In its message to the Somali people and the international community, the Jubaland government underscored that the Federal Government of Somalia “will bear full responsibility” for any negative consequences or escalations may arise from this situation.