Monday 9, Dec, 2024 {HMC} Commander of the 5th Battalion, 16th Division of the Danab Commando Unit operating in Jubbaland, Aarab Dheeg Ahmed, has called on the Somali military to avoid involvement in the ongoing political standoff between the Federal Government and Jubbaland leadership.
Captain Ahmed urged his troops and other branches of the armed forces to focus on their primary mission—combating al-Shabaab insurgents.
“Our job is not to get involved in political disputes. Our only enemy is the Khawarij [al-Shabaab]. I urge the army to concentrate on their duties as the political dispute will eventually end,” he stated.
Captain Ahmed also raised concerns about perceived inequality in military promotions, highlighting that Jubbaland soldiers who recently joined the federal military have been rapidly promoted, while longstanding members of the Danab unit remain overlooked.
“We have previously requested the highest leadership to provide military promotions, but there has been no response. Yet, we see soldiers joining from Jubbaland State getting promoted easily,” the commander added.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following the federal government’s deployment of over 1,000 troops to the Lower Jubba region to take over security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), whose mandate expires in January 2025. The deployment exacerbated the strained relationship between Mogadishu and Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe.
Recently, nearly 500 Jubbaland forces were integrated into the federal military in the Lower Jubba region, reflecting efforts to centralize control amid disputes over governance and electoral processes.
Source Hiiraan online
