Jubaland and Puntland Leaders to Meet in Nairobi for Talks on Alliance Against Somali President Hassan
The leaders of Somalia’s Jubaland and Puntland regions are set to meet in Nairobi this week to discuss the formation of a new political alliance aimed at challenging President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has recently consolidated more power and influence by building several alliances. According to a report by Eastleigh Voice, Puntland’s leader, Saeed Abdullahi Deni, left the city of Bosaso on Tuesday and is on his way to Nairobi, while Jubaland’s leader, Ahmed Madobe, is already in Nairobi and has been meeting with Kenyan leaders and Somali politicians ahead of the crunch talks.
The meeting between Saeed and Ahmed comes as a significant development in Somali politics, particularly given their past differences. Once political adversaries, the two leaders have decided to settle their differences and work together to challenge President Hassan, who returned to power in 2022. They are rebuilding their alliance because they believe the President’s Office (Villa Somalia) has been sidelining them from critical government affairs. As Eastleigh Voice reports, "Once political adversaries, Saeed and Ahmed have decided to settle their differences and work together to challenge President Hassan, who returned to power in 2022."
The Somali government has been trying to weaken the duo’s control by setting up a rival administration in Jubaland to remove Ahmed from power. The Somali government is also backing Police Chief Asad Osman Diyano in Puntland, who has close ties to a powerful local security force. These moves have sparked tension in northern Galkayo, where troops loyal to both sides have been deployed, raising fears of a possible armed clash. The development comes as President Hassan pushes ahead with plans for a one-person, one-vote election system. However, many regional leaders argue that the country’s ongoing insecurity, especially the presence of Al-Shabaab in large areas, makes this plan unrealistic.
According to Eastleigh Voice, "The federal government is trying to weaken the duo’s control by setting up a rival administration in Jubaland to remove Ahmed from power. The Somali government is also backing Police Chief Asad Osman Diyano in Puntland, who has close ties to a powerful local security force." This move has raised concerns about the potential for conflict in the region.
While Hassan has already brought several key regional leaders into his camp, Saeed and Ahmed are now joining forces to resist his expanding political control. The Somali government has not issued an official statement regarding the Nairobi meeting. It remains to be seen what ramifications Kenya may face for allowing the talks to take place on its soil. This situation draws parallels to a recent incident where Kenya faced significant backlash for hosting members of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi.
In February 2025, the RSF and allied groups signed a charter in Nairobi to establish a parallel government in Sudan, leading to Sudan recalling its ambassador from Kenya and accusing Nairobi of violating its sovereignty and international law. As Eastleigh Voice notes, "It remains to be seen what ramifications Kenya may face for allowing the talks to take place on its soil."
The meeting between Saeed and Ahmed is a significant development in Somali politics, and its outcome could have far-reaching implications for the country. The two leaders are expected to discuss the formation of a new political alliance aimed at challenging President Hassan’s expanding political control. The talks are also expected to focus on the Somali government’s efforts to weaken the duo’s control and the potential for conflict in the region.
The situation in Somalia remains complex, with many regional leaders arguing that the country’s ongoing insecurity, especially the presence of Al-Shabaab in large areas, makes the plan for a one-person, one-vote election system unrealistic. The meeting between Saeed and Ahmed is a key development in this context, and its outcome could have significant implications for the country’s future.
Source: Eastleigh Voice
