NAIROBI — Former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has strongly rejected federal government allegations linking forces loyal to him to Al-Shabaab, warning that such claims could endanger civilians and worsen political tensions.
In a statement issued on August 27, 2026, Laftagareen’s office expressed concern over an African Union Commission memorandum dated August 21 concerning a request submitted by Somalia’s federal government to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) regarding the security situation in South West State .
The statement said South West Darawish forces are legally established security forces mandated to protect civilians, public institutions, security and the constitutional order of South West State. “Describing these forces as ‘militias affiliated with Al-Shabaab,’ without independently verified evidence, endangers civilians and security personnel and risks undermining public confidence in AUSSOM,” the statement said .
Laftagareen’s office warned against conflating Somalia’s internal political disputes with the legitimate fight against terrorism. It said disputes between the federal government and federal member states should be resolved through dialogue, constitutional processes and an inclusive political framework. “Using military force to pursue political objectives could further intensify violence, displacement and social division,” the statement said .
The statement comes after Somalia’s federal government recently described forces loyal to Laftagareen as Al-Shabaab-linked militants, accusing them of attacking Baidoa several times in an attempt to capture the city . The federal government said nearly 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the attack, though the claim could not be independently verified. Laftagareen’s supporters have rejected the federal government’s characterization of the fighters as Al-Shabaab .
Ouster and Political Crisis
Laftagareen was ousted from power on March 30, 2026, after federal troops took control of Baidoa, South West State’s administrative capital, following weeks of political deadlock . He announced his resignation on Facebook, stating his decision to avoid devastating civilian casualties in an urban confrontation .
The federal government declared Laftagareen’s mandate expired in March 2026, asserting that the regional leadership’s term in office was no longer valid . The Interior Ministry ordered federal agencies not to cooperate with the regional government and announced plans to appoint a committee to facilitate the formation of a new South West State administration .
Regional lawmakers elected Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, a former speaker of Somalia’s lower house, as South West State president on June 10, 2026 . His inauguration on July 6 was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and senior federal officials.
However, Laftagareen maintains that he remains the legitimate president of South West State. His supporters have accused the federal government of forcibly taking control of South West State and have called for the territory to be retaken .
South West State Security Minister Osman Isaaq Mohamed has called on the Kenyan government to arrest Laftagareen and facilitate his extradition to Somalia, accusing him of being responsible for recent attacks and bombings in Baidoa . The minister also accused forces loyal to Laftagareen of having links to Al-Shabaab, alleging that the militias had contributed to insecurity in Baidoa .
Clashes and Competing Narratives
Heavy fighting erupted in Baidoa on August 17, 2026, between Somali federal troops and armed opposition groups, leaving dozens of people dead, including at least four civilians . The battle erupted when militia loyal to Laftagareen attacked government positions on the outskirts of the city .
Forces loyal to Laftagareen launched an assault on positions held by federal forces and troops aligned with the South West State administration, triggering intense fighting that involved heavy weapons. Federal troops ultimately drove Laftagareen-aligned fighters from the city after hours of clashes described by residents as the fiercest since March .
The Somali National Army described the incident differently, saying its forces had repelled an attack by Al-Shabaab militants targeting Baidoa. The Federal Government said nearly 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the attack, though the claim could not be independently verified .
South West Internal Security Minister Isak Mohamed Korsaar said government troops had recovered the bodies of Al-Shabaab fighters and captured others alive. “The militias that attacked us were not alone. We have confirmed that they were accompanied by Al-Shabaab,” Korsaar told reporters .
The fighting raised concerns about the safety of aid operations serving Baidoa’s large displaced population, with the city hosting more than half a million Somalis displaced by conflict, drought, and hunger . Hospital officials said nearly 100 people were wounded in the latest violence, increasing pressure on health services already struggling to serve residents and displaced people .
Ethiopian forces have also withdrawn from military bases in the Dinsoor district of the Bay region, raising concerns among local residents about the potential return of Al-Shabaab militants . The Darawish forces of South West State, with known limited capabilities, might struggle to fill the security vacuum left by the departing Ethiopian troops in the Bay and Bakool regions .
Critical Note
Laftagareen’s rejection of federal allegations linking his Darawish forces to Al-Shabaab highlights the dangerous intersection of political rivalry and military confrontation in South West State. While the federal government frames the clashes as a counter-terrorism operation, the involvement of forces loyal to the ousted president points to a deeper political crisis that cannot be resolved through military means alone.
The competing narratives, one portraying the attackers as Al-Shabaab militants, the other as legitimate political opposition, reflect the deep mistrust that has come to define the relationship between Mogadishu and its regional adversaries . Without a political settlement, the cycle of violence and displacement in South West State is likely to continue, with civilians bearing the heaviest burden.
The international community must press for de-escalation and dialogue, while the federal government must address the grievances that have driven Laftagareen and his supporters to take up arms. AUSSOM must maintain its neutrality and impartiality, as the African Union memorandum instructs, to avoid being drawn into Somalia’s internal political disputes .
