Mohamed Hussein Abdi, the District Commissioner of Doolow—commonly known as Lafey—has strongly accused the Somali Federal Government of escalating instability in Gedo region.
In a televised interview, Commissioner Lafey warned that federal interference is undermining years of peace in the border town of Doolow and worsening tensions with the Jubbaland regional administration.
“Doolow has experienced relative stability for years, but recent moves by the federal government are now creating serious security threats,” said Lafey.
Federal Forces Challenge Jubbaland’s Authority
Tensions flared after the Somali federal government dismissed local security officials in Doolow, prompting them to align with Jubbaland state forces.
This power shift triggered a standoff between federal troops and Jubbaland-aligned forces, with both groups reportedly positioning themselves around the strategic town.
Gedo Region Tensions Threat Humanitarian Missions
Doolow, located in southern Gedo region on Somalia–Ethiopia borders, plays a crucial role in humanitarian aid delivery.
It is home to several UN agencies and shelters over 20,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Thousands more Somali refugees have sought safety in the Melkadida camp across the border in Ethiopia’s Dollo Ado district.
“Mogadishu’s efforts to detach Gedo from Jubbaland and establish a parallel administration are deeply concerning and could lead to new conflict,” Lafey warned.
Al-Shabaab Remains a Persistent Threat
Despite Doolow’s resilience, it remains under threat from Al-Shabaab, which has never taken control of the town but has launched multiple deadly attacks in Gedo region.
Lafey criticized the federal government for failing to address insecurity in neighboring towns like Garbaharey, where extremist activity remains a concern.
“There’s no real development in Garbaharey, and the federal government is trying to exploit that vulnerability,” he said.
Raaskambooni Conflict Revisited
Commissioner Lafey also referenced the Raaskambooni military campaign in late 2024, in which federal troops clashed with Jubbaland forces near the Kenyan border.
The offensive, intended to assert federal authority, ended disastrously, with federal soldiers reportedly surrendering en masse—marking the largest troop surrender in Somali military history.
“That confrontation could have been avoided,” Lafey said.
“Lives were lost, and no side can honestly claim victory.”
Call for Dialogue to Prevent Further Destabilization
As Gedo region tensions continue to rise, Lafey urged the Somali leadership in Mogadishu to prioritize dialogue and regional cooperation over political interference.
He warned that sustained federal involvement in local governance without consensus risks empowering extremist groups and further destabilizing southern Somalia.
“Continued political games in Gedo will only strengthen Al-Shabaab and weaken our unity,” Lafey concluded.
