Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s arrival in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia’s Southwest region, comes amid ongoing disagreements between the federal government and regional leaders regarding the presence of Ethiopian forces after December 2024.
The Somali government has called for all Ethiopian troops to withdraw by the end of the year, a move that some regional officials oppose.
However, under Somalia’s constitution, the federal government retains the authority over four key powers, including foreign policy and national defense.
Accompanying Prime Minister Barre in Baidoa is the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbalolshe.
Their visit highlights the federal government’s stance on asserting control over national defense matters and potentially addressing concerns raised by the regional leaders regarding the Ethiopian troops’ presence.
This visit reflects the ongoing dynamics in Somalia’s federal and regional relations, especially concerning security and foreign military presence.
The federal government is working to ensure that its constitutional authority is respected while balancing the concerns and cooperation of regional administrations.