Muqdisho News
The security forces assigned to the presidents of Jubbaland, Ahmed Madobe, and Puntland, Said Deni, departed this morning from the cities of Kismayo and Garowe, heading toward Mogadishu, where a meeting between the Federal Government and the Future Council was scheduled to open tomorrow afternoon.
However, following an order issued by President Hassan Sheikh, the aircraft that departed from Kismayo and Garowe carrying the security personnel of Ahmed Madobe and Said Deni were turned back while in Mogadishu airspace.
Puntland condemned the decision to turn back the aircraft transporting the presidential security detail, describing it as an action that endangered the lives of the officers and soldiers on board.
Likewise, Jubbaland took a similar position to Puntland, stating in a press release that it “strongly regrets and is deeply concerned about the irresponsible decision that today directly endangered the advance delegation and the personal security detail of the President of the Jubbaland State.”
The Mogadishu meeting is expected to focus on several issues, most importantly elections, constitutional amendments, national unity, drought, and the fight against terrorism.
The Future Council, which brings together the Salvation Forum and the leaders of Puntland and Jubbaland, prefers that the meeting mainly address the first two issues, while Villa Somalia wants greater importance given to the latter topics.
The meeting, convened under pressure from the international community, is set to take place inside Aden Adde International Airport.
This venue was chosen at the request of Deni and Madobe, who objected to holding the meeting at the presidential palace.
All members of the Future Council are currently in the capital, while the aircraft carrying the security personnel and aides of Deni and Madobe were turned back from Mogadishu airspace.
