Battle of Ras Kamboni (2024)
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (December 2024) |
| Battle of Ras Kamboni | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Somali Civil War (2009–present) and Constitutional crisis in Somalia | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Jubaland |
 Somalia | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Ahmed Madobe |
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| Jubaland Dervish Force |
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On 11 December 2024, heavy fighting erupted between Somali Armed Forces and Jubaland regional forces in the Marnani area near Ras Kamboni. After Federal Government of Somalia deployed Somali National Army from Mogadishu to the region in an attempt to throw out President Ahmed Madobe from the Office.[3][4][5]
Background
[edit]A constitutional crisis took shape in Somalia when the Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, changed the Constitution of Somalia on April 30, 2024. The change was opposed by the President of Puntland Said Abdullahi Deni. As a result, Puntland withdrew its recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia and declared itself an independent state citing Article 4 of the Puntland Constitution.[6]
On March 31, 2024, Puntland announced its withdrawal from the federal system, Puntland cabinets in their emergency meeting stated their intention to govern independently until constitutional amendments proposed by the central government are ratified through a nationwide referendum.[7]
Jubaland election
[edit]On 3 November, Jubaland invited their Members of Federal Parliament from the state to come to Kismayo for discussions, after rising tensions between Jubaland and the federal government, and the resignations of the State Minister of Planning, Abdirashid Jire and a deputy minister in the Ministry of Education, the following day Jubaland cut ties to Federal Government of Somalia.[8]
2024 Jubaland presidential election were held in Jubaland on 25 November. The incumbent president Ahmed Mohamed Islam was re-elected by members of the House of Representatives as the President of Jubaland for a third term. It was the third election since the state's formation in 2012. Prior to the elections, the Parliament Speaker and other Deputy Speakers were elected on 21 November, by the House of Representatives of Jubaland amid tensions with the federal government that resulted in Somali National Army being deployed to Kamboni, Badhadhe District in Lower Juba region.[9]
On November 27, 2024, The Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu, Somalia, issues an arrest warrant for Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, accusing Madobe of treason and violating the constitution.[10] In response, the regional court in Kismayo, Jubaland, announces a $100,000 reward for the arrest of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing Hassan of treason, undermining national unity, and conspiring with Al-Shabaab militia.[11][12]
Clash
[edit]On December 11, 2024, heavy fighting broke out early in the morning between Jubaland Dervish forces and (Somali: Gor-Gor) of Somali National Army in Manaraani, north of Ras Kamboni.[13]
The dawn battle erupted over vital Oodow Well, the only water source for Ras Kamboni, located 6 kilometers from the town. Gor-Gor reportedly launched the attack, fearing Jubaland Dervish forces had positioned themselves in Burgabo, near Ras kamboni.[13]
Timeline
[edit]- On 4 November, a delegation of mediators from Kenya was led by the former IGAD Executive Secretary, Mahboub Maalim, the former IGAD Special Representative for Somalia, Mohamed Abdi Affey, and the former senator for Wajir County, Abdirahman Ali Hassan arrived in Kismayo to meet president Ahmed Madobe, after President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, requested from the Kenyan government to work towards finding a solution to the tension between Jubaland and Federal Government of Somalia.[14]
- On 18 November, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Ahmed Madobe could not run for office again because his term had ended.[15] Abdifatah Mohamed Mukhtar, the Jubaland Minister of Information, disagreed. He told BBC Somali, "The Prime Minister should remember that he once said Jubaland had its own independent elections. Now he is saying those elections are not valid."[16][17]
- On 19 November, Mursal Siad Mohamed, the chairman of the Jubaland Electoral Commission, chaired a meeting with the traditional elders of Jubaland's tribes as they submitted the list of new members for the Third Jubaland House of Representatives.[18][19] The commission also announced the new Members of Parliament and confirmed that the election for the Speaker of the Jubaland Parliament is scheduled to take place on 21 November.[20][21] The Supreme Court of Jubaland takes an oath in the 75 newly Representatives MP's approved by the Traditional Leaders.[22][23]
- On 21 November, Abdi Mohamed Abdirahman was re-elected as Speaker for a third term and secured 65 votes. His opponent, Ismail Abdi Keerow, got 7 votes.[24] Hirad Ismail Mohamed was elected as the First Deputy Speaker with 56 votes, while Mahad Mohamed Ahmed received 18 votes.[25] Abdi Baley Hussein became the Second Deputy Speaker after getting 51 votes. His opponent, Abdirashid Ali Mohamud received 22 votes.[26]
- On 23 November at least one security officer was killed and two others were injured in a gunfight between Jubaland police and security guards in Kismayo,[27] After rival candidates backed by the federal government announced a parallel election amid a disagreement on the electoral procedure for the presidential election. [28][29]
- Concerns about interference from Somalia's Federal Government during its elections were highlighted by the Ministry of Interior on 23 November.[30] It accuses the Office of the Prime Minister of misusing UN and ATMIS resources for political purposes that were undermining neutrality and stability. Jubaland describes these actions as unconstitutional and calls on international partners to respect Somalia’s federal system and support fair and peaceful governance.[31]
Aftermath
[edit]Result
[edit]Jubaland's Deputy Security Minister, Adan Ahmed Haji, stated during a press conference in Kismayo that federal forces from Mogadishu used Turkish-supplied Bayraktar TB2 drones to attack Jubaland forces in Ras Kamboni, confronted into clashes.[5] He criticized the Somali government for using military resources intended to combat external threats like Al-Shabaab against Jubaland, which he described as "peaceful." Additionally, he mentioned that 42 Turkish-trained Gorgor soldiers surrendered shortly after the battle.[3]
Reactions
[edit]Puntland’s Interior Minister, Abdi Farah Said Juha, criticized Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and accused him of waging war against his own people. He highlighted reports of federal government drone strikes targeting Jubaland troops instead of Al-Shabaab and called for reconsidering the lifting of the arms embargo.[15]
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame released a joint statement urging an end to the violence.[32][33]
References
[edit]- ^ "Somalia: SNA soldiers lose Raskamboni battle to Jubaland troops, surrender to KDF". 30 June 2020.
- ^ "Somali Federal Government Lost and Jubaland Forces Secured Full Control of Ras Kamboni".
- ^ a b Abdi Sheikh, Abdiqani Hassan (2024-12-11). "Fighting breaks out between Somalia's Jubbaland region and federal government, officials say". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Somalia: Fighting Erupts in Jubaland State After U.S. Warning". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2024-12-11). "Heavy Fighting Erupted in Ras Kamboni Between Jubaland Dervish Forces and Somali-Based Mogadishu Troops". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Somalia's Puntland refuses to recognise federal government after disputed constitutional changes". Reuters. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Somalia: Puntland refuses to recognise federal government after disputed constitutional changes". Africanews. 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ "Jubaland Leader Summons Federal MPs to Kismayo for Crisis Talks Amid Resignations". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Somalia: Ahmed Madobe romps to victory in Jubaland". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "Somali Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Jubaland Leader". Agence France Presse (AFP). 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ "Tit-for-tat arrest warrants escalate Somalia-Jubaland political crisis". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2024-11-27). "Jubaland Regional Court Issues Arrest Warrant for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Charges of Treason". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ a b Shino, Abdirisaq (2024-12-11). "Somalia: Heavy Fighting Erupts Between Jubaland and Federal Troops". Horseed Media. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Waa kuwama saddexda nin ee Kenya kasoo jeeda ee dhexdhexaadinaya dowladda federaalka iyo Jubaland?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ a b "Somalia PM: Ahmed Madobe's Re-election Bid in Jubaland Illegal". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Jubaland maxay ka tiri hadalkii uu ra'iisulwasaare Xamse ku dhaliilay madaxdeeda?". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Jubaland oo si adag uga jawaabtay hadalkii Ra'iisul Wasaare Xamse". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Guddiga Doorashada Jubaland oo lagu wareejisay liiska Xildhibaanada cusub ee Jubaland". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Qoobey, Jibril (2024-11-19). "Xildhibaanada cusub Ee Baarlamaanka Jubaland oo la shaaciyay". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Y, Ali (2024-11-19). "Liiska Xildhibaanada Baarlamaanka Jubaland oo la shaaciyey". Horseed Media. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Maxamed, Jamaal (2024-11-19). "Liiska xildhibaannada cusub ee Jubbaland oo la shaaciyay". Caasimadda Online. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Staff, Horseed (2024-11-19). "Xildhibaanada Golaha Wakiilada Jubaland oo La Dhaariyey". Horseed Media. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Somalia: Jubaland's Election Rift with FGS Deepens as Mediation Efforts Stall". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Jubbaland Parliament elects leadership as federal government rejecting electoral process". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2024-11-21). "Jubaland Parliament Re-Elects Speaker And Other Deputy Speakers". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "Jubaland votes for leadership as political fault lines deepen across Somalia". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Gunfight in Kismayo leaves one dead, heightens Federal-Jubbaland tensions". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ GROUP, NTV KENYA-NATION MEDIA. "NTV Kenya: Jubaland: Rival candidates announce parallel election plans". NTV Kenya. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ Obala, Roselyne Obala (2024-11-23). "Jubaland: Rival candidates announce parallel election plans". NATION. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Y, Ali (2024-11-23). "Jubaland oo digniin u dirtay Hay'addaha UN-ka iyo ATMIS". Horseed Media. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Qoobey, Jibril (2024-11-23). "Jubaland government has issued a press statement urging that UN and ATMIS". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Askar, Hanad (2024-12-11). "Shariif, Xil CCC iyo Khayre oo war ka soo saarey dagaalka jubaland ka socda". Horseed Media. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ Qoobey, Jibril (2024-12-11). "Sh.Shariif,C.C.Warsame iyo Khayre oo ku dhaliilay Xasan Shiikh dagaalka Raaskanbooni". Idil News. Retrieved 2024-12-11.