Mandera (SD) – Jubbaland state in southern Somalia has defied the decision by the federal government to cut ties with Kenya amid high tension at Somalia-Kenya border.

Speaking to BBC Somali Service, Jubbaland security Minister, Abdirashid Janan has underscored that his administration will enhance its relationship with Kenya, saying decision by Somali government has nothing to do with Jubbaland.

The minister also dismissed the alleged military mobilisation by  Kenya but confirmed presence of forces loyal to him in Gedo region.

He accused the government forces of committing crimes against humanity saying forces carried out looting and killings in the town. 

‘This area (Beled-Hawa) is home to soldiers and civilians under our rule but right now they live in hard conditions as the town was being looted by the current enemy who control the town,” he said.

The remarks of Janan comes hours after Somali government accused Kenya of deploying forces near Somalia-Kenya border.

Somali government warned against mobilisation of armed forces in Mandera, saying the forces were meant to raid Beled-Hawa town.

Early this year, Janan who was under arrest in Mogadishu vanished from custody under unclear circumstance.

The former district commissioner in Gedo region who was later appointed as security minister by president Ahmed Madobe was accused of human rights crimes for offenses committed during his tenure as Dolow DC.

 Somali elite forces and Jubbaland forces led by Janan fought in Beled-Hawa town some months, forcing Janan and his to fled into Mandera town.