Ethiopian Defense Chief meets Jubaland Vice President amid regional security challenges. Addis Ababa hosted this critical meeting between General Berhanu Jula, Commander-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Defense Forces, and Mahmoud Sayid Adan, Vice President of Somalia’s Jubaland region few days after the Ankara Declaration. The discussions focused on addressing the persistent threat of terrorism in Jubaland, where Ethiopian forces play a leading role as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission.

This meeting underscores Ethiopia’s strategic interest in stabilizing Jubaland, a region that serves as a frontline in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The coordination between Ethiopian forces and Jubaland’s administration remains essential in countering the militant group, which continues to pose a significant threat to peace and security in Somalia and beyond.

Meanwhile, political turmoil is deepening in Mogadishu. Reports indicate Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is pressuring Prime Minister Hamza Barre to resign, allegedly to take full responsibility for the governance challenges in Jubaland. This move, seen as an attempt to shield the President’s office from blame, reflects mounting political fragility within Somalia’s federal government. 

As Ethiopia strengthens its ties with Jubaland, Somalia’s internal political rifts risk complicating efforts to address the shared challenge of terrorism in the region.