Military cooperation between Kenya and Ethiopia may have after all deteriorated, with Thursday's presidential polls at Jubbaland being the contentious factor.
Somalia's most stable region, Jubbaland, has effectively repulsed Al-Shabaab threats, with Sheikh Ahmed Madobe being one of the major strategic partner with his Ras Kamboni Brigade.
But in recent days, Addis Ababa and Mogadushu seems to have withdrawn support to the veteran commander, leaving KDF struggling to contain the rebellion.
On Monday, sources say, KDF commanders manning Sector 6, clashed with Ethiopian commanders following a proposal to have Ethiopian National Defence Forces guarding Kismayo Airport.
"Kismayo hosts AMISOM from Sector 2 (Kenya) and Sector 6 (Burundian, Kenyan, Ethiopian). A source says commander of Sector 6 who is Ethiopian proposed three days ago deployment of units of ENDF at Kismayo airport; Kenyan commanders asked him to bring a written request and eventually denied him," reports VOA journalist Harun Maruf.
The disagreement escalated on Monday forcing KDF troops and Jubbaland forces which man the airport, to block and Ethiopian plane from landing.
On Tuesday, KDF troops closed down the airport until elections in Jubbaland are over. The polls will start of August 21st and results are expected in the next two days.
"Jubaland administration has just announced the closure of the Kismayo Airport effective 20 August 2019 at 06:00PM; until the day after the election on 23rd August 2019. Announcement says movement of security forces willl not be allowed on Election Day 22 August," wrote VOA journalist Harun Maruf.
It's not clear why Ethiopia decided to change her policy on the management of states. The latest move could further escalate tensions between the KDF and ENDF who jointly man Sector 6.
Already, federal government of Somalia, which is opposed to Kenya's latest approach, is sponsoring a motion to vote for exit of KDF.
"Hearing MPs are working on a motion against presence of Kenya forces in Somalia? Did the federal Parliament approve the deployment of Kenyan as well as Ethiopian forces in the country in the 1st place? Did the Parliament ever discuss the presence of non-AMISOM forces in Somalia?" Maruf hinted.