MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali federal government has rejected the recent presidential election in Jubaland, describing it as “illegal” and calling for legal action against the region’s leader, Ahmed Mohamed Islam better known as Ahmed Madobe. The decision came after an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday night, where officials accused the election of violating the provisional federal constitution.

Ahmed Madobe, who has led Jubaland for over a decade was re-elected by the regional parliament for a third term despite strong opposition from the federal government. In a statement, Mogadishu criticized the election process and reiterated its push for direct elections at all levels of government, saying this was essential for Somalia’s democratic progress.

“This kind of election undermines our constitutional principles and national unity,” the cabinet said. The move to nullify the Jubaland election and prosecute Madobe has raised concerns of further instability in the already fragile political environment. Relations with Kenya, a key regional ally that supports Madobe’s administration for security reasons could also be impacted. Jubaland’s control over the strategic port city of Kismayo adds another layer of complexity to the growing rift between the federal government and the semi-autonomous region.

This latest standoff highlights the ongoing challenges Somalia faces in balancing federal and regional powers. While the federal government insists on electoral reforms to unify the nation, political disagreements like this risk delaying progress on critical security and development goals.