KISMAYO, Somalia – The second deputy vice president of Somalia’s Jubaland state, Abdulkadir Haji Mahmoud (Luga Dheere), has called on the federal government to separate ongoing political disputes from the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, amid a months-long standoff between the two sides.
Speaking to local media in Kismayo, Luga Dheere warned against politicising relief efforts and urged federal authorities to treat all federal member states equally, regardless of political tensions.
“Humanitarian aid should not be politicised. The people of Jubaland have the right to receive emergency assistance like any other Somali citizens,” he said. “The federal government must act fairly and deliver aid without discrimination.”
He also appealed to international humanitarian organisations to accelerate aid delivery to drought- and conflict-affected communities in Jubaland, where conditions remain dire.
The standoff between Jubaland and the federal government has persisted for months, with no resolution in sight.
Tensions escalated recently after Mogadishu announced plans to form a parallel administration in the region — a move that has sparked concern among analysts and local officials.
The officials warn that the political rift risks disrupting vital services and delaying urgently needed humanitarian relief in southern Somalia.
Aid workers and community leaders have echoed calls for a clear separation between political disputes and emergency response mechanisms.
