MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, is set to travel to Raskamboni in the Lower Juba region, as government forces intensify their military buildup in a decisive campaign to dismantle the decade-long leadership of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, pushing the region perilously toward the brink of all-out war, Caasimada Online news website reported on Monday.
The commander of the Somali army’s land forces, accompanied by officials from the Prime Minister’s office and his security detail, arrived in Raskamboni on Sunday to lay the groundwork for his upcoming visit, during which he will receive briefings from the commanders of the Haram’ad police unit and the Gorgor special military unit, who currently oversee the town.
Jubaland forces, poised to confront the advancing Somali government troops, are positioned a mere 40 kilometers from Somali army lines, heightening fears of an imminent outbreak of hostilities and plunging the region into a state of tense uncertainty.
On Sunday, Jubaland authorities issued an ultimatum to the Somali Army, demanding its withdrawal from Raskamboni within 48 hours and warning of decisive action should their order be ignored.
