In what could further cause tensions in Somalia, federal government on Monday suspended all flights to Kismayo Airport, hours to Sheikh Ahmed Madobe's inauguration.
The former Ras Kamboni Brigade commander, a close ally of Kenya and KDF, controversially won Jubaland presidential elections in August.
Despite Nairobi recognising his victory, federal leader President Mohamed Farmaajo rejected the outcome, accusing Kenya Defense Forces of allegedly imposing Madobe.
The suspension of flights effective Monday (today) to Thursday 26th, is reportedly a wider scheme to prevent Madobe's allies from attending. Initially, the government had also suspended direct flights to Kismayo Airport.
"The Somalia government has suspended all flights to Kismayo in the period between Sept. 23-26. The inauguration of Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe is on Sept 26," reports indicated.
On Sunday, the government blocked former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed from travelling to Kismayo for Madobe's inauguration.
"Somalia has been waiting almost 30 years to take control of it’s airspace. It’s sad situation the government uses the management of the air space as a political weapon that can have a serious ramification on the political stability and the unity of the country," former President Sheikh Hassan Mohamud said.
Statement by the Himilo Qaran party led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed confirmed he was “blocked” from travelling to Kismayo.
Statement accused federal government leaders of “power abuse”, says move was in “violation of the “human dignity” and in “violation of the constitution”.
Early this month, Sheikh Ahmed Madobe warned President Farmaajo of possible war should the sanctions against his regional government persist.
"We took dead bodies and wounds on our shoulders as we entered Kismayo while he was having coffee at Starbucks at the time," warned Sheikh Madobe.
Kenya has been backing Madobe's government since his victory in 2013. He helped KDF troops run over Al-Shabaab militants in the Kismayo city a year earlier.