MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali lawmaker has strongly criticized the federal government, accusing it of sparking fresh conflict in the southern Gedo region, where heavy fighting has broken out in recent days between government forces and those aligned with the Jubaland regional administration.
In an exclusive interview with Shabelle TV, Member of Parliament Mohamed Ali Omar — widely known as Caano Nuug — said the government had turned a previously stable area into a battleground, blaming it for provoking what he called “chaos and unrest.”
“It is deeply regrettable that Somali national forces are fighting one another on peaceful soil,” Caano Nuug said. “The federal government must take full responsibility because it is the one that created this crisis.”
The MP’s remarks follow days of intense clashes in the strategic border town of Beled-Hawo, located in the Gedo region near the Kenyan border. The fighting has involved Somali federal troops and forces loyal to Jubaland, one of the country’s federal member states, which has long had strained relations with Mogadishu.
The violence has left residents fearing for their safety, with reports of displacement and disruptions to basic services. Community elders and civil society groups have urged both sides to halt hostilities and engage in dialogue.
“This conflict is not just about political control — it is tearing communities apart,” said one local elder who asked not to be named for security reasons. “We need urgent intervention to stop further bloodshed.”
The federal government has not yet officially responded to the accusations made by MP Caano Nuug. However, tensions between Mogadishu and Jubaland have been simmering for years, often centered around security arrangements and the control of border regions like Gedo.
The situation could escalate further as Jubaland and the Federal government deploy troops to the region, undermining efforts to stabilize Somalia ahead of planned national reconciliation initiatives.
