From left to right: Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, former Intelligence Chief Fahad Yasin, and Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Former Somali Intelligence Chief Fahad Yasin has urged Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to take decisive steps to address rising political tensions with Jubaland’s regional leader, Ahmed Madobe, which Yasin described as a critical test for Hamza’s administration.

Yasin, the controversial intelligence chief and confidante of former President Farmajo, offered three strategies that he believes could help the Prime Minister ease the situation. First, Yasin advised that Hamza open a dialogue with Madobe to bring him back to the negotiating table. Such engagement, Yasin believes, could de-escalate the friction between Jubaland and the federal government, promoting regional stability.

Another approach Yasin suggested was for Hamza to assert his authority over Jubaland to show that the region does not solely operate under Madobe’s influence. By reinforcing that Jubaland is part of a unified federal system, Hamza would make a case for inclusive governance beyond individual control, projecting that Jubaland is not a one-leader domain.

Yasin also proposed that Hamza position himself as a mediator, recognizing his limited power to enforce his will through force or political alliances. Instead, by casting himself as a neutral party committed to peace, Hamza could signal that he is willing to set aside personal ambitions for the greater good of Jubaland, a gesture that could resonate with both local and national audiences.

The issue has drawn widespread attention due to Hamza’s longstanding connections with Madobe, which were once marked by close cooperation.