Rising Tensions in Somalia as Federal Government Blocks Regional Delegations
Somalia’s fragile political landscape faced a new test this week after the regional administrations of Jubaland and Puntland accused the federal government of blocking aircraft carrying their security personnel from landing in Mogadishu. The incident has deepened mistrust between the center and the regions and cast uncertainty over a planned high-level consultative conference on the country’s electoral process.
What Happened?
On Sunday, officials from Jubaland and Puntland said planes transporting advance delegations and presidential security guards were ordered to turn back shortly before landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. The flights were reportedly en route to prepare for a consultative conference aimed at resolving disputes over Somalia’s electoral roadmap.
Both administrations described the decision as sudden, dangerous, and politically motivated, arguing that it contradicted the spirit of dialogue that the conference was meant to foster.
In a strongly worded statement, Jubaland authorities said they “deeply regret the irresponsible decision” taken by the federal government to divert a plane carrying members of a preliminary delegation and the personal security detail of Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe). According to Jubaland, the flight had already received clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority, the conference organizing committee, and federal security agencies.
The administration added that the aircraft was ordered to return to Kismayo without assurances that it had sufficient fuel, calling the move “hostile” and warning that it put the lives of those on board at serious risk.
Puntland’s Reaction
Puntland issued a similar complaint, stating that members of President Said Abdullahi Deni’s presidential guard were also forced to return mid-flight. In a press release, Puntland accused federal leaders of deliberately undermining the consultative process after Puntland and the Somali Future Council accepted the invitation to attend the talks.
The statement alleged that once regional leaders agreed to participate, the federal government took steps aimed at obstructing the meeting rather than facilitating it.
President Deni went further, describing the incident as criminal. He said forcing the plane to turn back while airborne amounted to an attempted crime that would eventually be held accountable.
Somali Future Council Condemns the Move
The Somali Future Council—a political bloc that includes leaders from Puntland and Jubaland—also condemned the decision. In its statement, the council said it had accepted the federal government’s dialogue platform in good faith, but accused Mogadishu of taking actions that directly contradicted the goals of national consultation.
Among the council’s concerns were public statements that diverged from the agreed framework, ongoing constitutional amendments, and restrictions placed on flights carrying delegations to the meeting. While reaffirming openness to “sincere talks,” the council warned that it would reassess its participation if such actions continued.
Federal Government’s Defense
Federal government sources defended the decision, arguing that Mogadishu had serious security concerns. According to these sources, authorities were alarmed by plans from Garowe and Kismayo to deploy hundreds of troops to the capital, a move they said could create the impression that Mogadishu was unsafe.
The federal government, the sources claimed, had agreed to allow up to 30 uniformed and plainclothes security personnel to accompany each regional president. However, they accused both Jubaland and Puntland of attempting to bring more than 100 security personnel each, exceeding the agreed limits.
From Mogadishu’s perspective, restricting the flights was framed as a preventative security measure rather than a political act.
A Pattern of Mistrust
The dispute highlights long-standing mistrust between Somalia’s federal leadership and its regional states, particularly on issues of security management and elections. Similar tensions surfaced during the 2021 election consultations, when Jubaland and Puntland leaders arrived in Mogadishu with large security details.
At the time, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo) was president, while current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was in opposition alongside Ahmed Madobe and Said Deni—underscoring how shifting alliances have not resolved deeper structural disagreements within Somalia’s federal system.
What This Means for the Electoral Process
The latest standoff raises serious questions about the viability of the planned consultative conference and the prospects for reaching consensus on Somalia’s contested electoral roadmap. Dialogue requires trust, predictability, and mutual guarantees of safety—conditions that many observers say are currently lacking.
If unresolved, the dispute risks further polarizing Somalia’s political actors at a time when unity is crucial for state-building, security reform, and preparations for future elections.
As Somalia continues its search for a stable and inclusive political framework, the incident serves as a reminder that unresolved federal-regional tensions remain one of the country’s most pressing challenges. Whether leaders can de-escalate this crisis and return to meaningful dialogue may shape the next phase of Somalia’s political transition.