Beled Hawo (SD) – Jubbaland security minister Abdirashid Janan has reportedly reached an agreement with the federal government of Somalia and may visit Baled Hawa district in Gedo region in the coming hours.

Reports from Baled Hawo district indicate that secret talks between the two sides are now at an advanced stage and could lead to Minister Janan defecting to the feds.

Jubbaland Security Minister Abdirashid Hassan Abdinur Janan told the BBC that talks were under way with the federal government, but denied that any agreements were reached with the government yet.

Abdirashid Janan with Jubaland forces has repeatedly fought Somali federal forces in Baled Hawo district in Gedo region and has been based in Mandera district in Kenya.

If the talks underway between Abdi Janan and the feds succeed, it will be a huge blow to the leader of Jubaland Ahmed Madobe, currently in Mogadishu negotiating to gain back control of Gedo region.

Abdirashid was arrested by the feds in late August 2019 at Aden Adde International Airport while on a trip to Kenya, he later escaped custody.

The Somali Federal Government did not yet acknowledge the existence of talks with the Jubaland security minister.