Hornpost
Southwest State Breaks Ties with Somalia Federal Government Amid Political Dispute
BAYDHABO, Somalia (Horn post) Southwest State has emerged as the third federal member state in Somalia to enter a political standoff with the central government, following earlier disputes involving Puntland and Jubaland over the ratification of the national constitution.
Southwest State President Abdiasis Mohamed Hassan Laftagareen addressed the media in Baydhabo on Wednesday, describing obstacles his administration faced in reaching the city. He accused the federal government of direct interference in Southwest State’s affairs.
“The Somali people should know that I arrived in Baydhabo after facing numerous barriers. The Federal Government has been openly interfering in Southwest State,” Laftagareen said. He added that federal actions in recent days aimed to divide local communities and undermine federalism, including decisions to reassign troops previously deployed against al-Shabaab in ways that weakened regional security.
Laftagareen also rejected the recently approved national constitution, asserting that the 2012 constitution remains the only legitimate framework agreed upon by Somali stakeholders. He described the new constitution’s approval process as flawed and corrupt.
Ministerial Resignations Follow the Dispute
Following the standoff, ministers from Southwest State in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s federal cabinet resigned in protest. Among them, Deputy Minister of Planning Ahmed Mohamed Mashruuc cited political interference and obstacles imposed on Southwest State as reasons for his resignation. Mashruuc is the third official to resign within minutes, following the earlier departures of Cabdirashiid Jire and others amid tensions between Jubaland and the federal government.
Regional Opposition Supports Southwest State
The Somali Future Council, representing Jubaland, Puntland, and the Stabilization Forum, expressed strong support for Laftagareen, fully severing ties with the federal government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. They warned of potential consequences if federal forces were deployed in the city of Baraawe.
Meanwhile, 36 MPs from Southwest State serving in the Somali Federal Parliament issued a statement backing their state’s decision to halt relations with Mogadishu. They called on the federal government to lift travel restrictions and sanctions on civilians, stressed the need to respect federalism, and warned that further interference could threaten national unity.
The ongoing dispute underscores growing tensions between Somalia’s federal government and its member states, highlighting challenges in implementing federalism while maintaining political stability across the country.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
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