Somalia: Talks Between Somalia Govt and Kismayo Admin 'Hit a Deadlock'

"A lot of people disappointed in Prime Minister Shirdon and dam- jadiid gang in Villa Somalia

Talks between the Somali federal government, led by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, and local leaders in Kismayo led by Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) and Sheikh Mohammed Yussuf Aw-libah, the chairman of Jubbaland signatories .. have "hit a deadlock" as the two parties have disagreed over key issues, Garowe Online reports.

The discussions have been taking place for the past three days in the southern port city of Kismayo, where Prime Minister Shirdon is visiting. The two parties appointed officials to a joint committee tasked with preparing a cooperation agreement to be signed by top leaders.

Sources in Kismayo tell Garowe Online that the joint committee's discussions have "hit a deadlock" and the top leaders are expected to intervene.

According to the sources, federal government officials have demanded control of Kismayo's airport and port facilities, cancellation of ongoing Jubaland convention, appointment of a Lower Jubba regional governor by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the deployment of Somali forces from Mogadishu to Kismayo.

Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, the political leader of Kismayo, has strongly defended Jubaland convention as a community led process to establish a state administration, in according with the Somali federal constitution. He has stated that Jubaland convention aims to reconcile local communities, establish a shared state administration, and elect leaders of the new state.

Kismayo leaders have "rejected" proposals to cancel Jubaland convention and to deploy extra troops from Mogadishu, saying Kismayo has "sufficient troops" aided by African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) contingent from Kenya, according to local reports.

"Federal officials have proposed appointed a six-month interim administration for Kismayo, but this contradicts a two-year process to establish Jubaland, thereby creating a deadlock," said one source in Kismayo familiar with the political developments.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Prime Minister Shirdon accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed Madobe toured the Kismayo port and a Somali military compound, as part of the Prime Minister's ongoing visit to Kismayo.

The PM never went to Kismayo with an open mind it was his goverment dam- jadiid gang in Villa Somalia way or no way the Jubbaland intitative will succeed