Baidoa, Somalia (Horn post) Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held high-level meetings with traditional elders from the Southwest State, focusing on strengthening security, advancing democratic reforms, and addressing humanitarian challenges, officials said Sunday.
The president, accompanied by Southwest State’s interim leader Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, met with senior traditional leaders in Baidoa to discuss efforts to advance peace, social cohesion, and state-building initiatives in the region.
According to a statement from the presidency, the talks centered on accelerating Somalia’s democratization process, reinforcing regional institutions, and mobilizing support for drought relief efforts. The role of traditional elders in reconciliation, governance, and counterterrorism was also highlighted.
President Hassan Sheikh emphasized the importance of elders taking an active role in the country’s transition toward universal suffrage, known as “one person, one vote” elections. He praised their longstanding contributions to preserving unity, resolving disputes, and supporting national development.
“The participation of traditional leaders is essential to ensuring inclusive elections and giving Somali citizens the opportunity to directly choose their leadership,” the president said.
In response, the elders expressed appreciation for the president’s visit during what they described as a critical transitional period. They voiced full support for the federal government’s plans to implement universal suffrage and pledged to raise public awareness and facilitate community engagement to ensure its success.
In a separate meeting with another group of elders, President Hassan Sheikh reiterated the importance of cooperation between government institutions and traditional leadership to achieve sustainable peace and long-term stability.
The elders, in turn, commended the federal government’s continued efforts toward reconciliation, peacebuilding, and development in Southwest State, reaffirming their commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at strengthening governance and democracy in Somalia.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
