BAIDOA — The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside the newly appointed Interim Leader of South West State, recently convened a significant strategic meeting with senior traditional elders in the regional capital of Baidoa.
Advancing Reconciliation and Democratization
According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the comprehensive dialogue was specifically dedicated to enhancing regional peace, community reconciliation, and robust governance. Key agenda items included reinforcing the nationwide democratization process, coordinating vital logistics to tackle the persistent, ongoing drought crisis, and vigorously promoting localized state-building initiatives.
Furthermore, the federal and regional leadership focused on significantly boosting the foundational role of traditional elders in both grassroots governance and vital community mobilization efforts aimed at countering Al-Shabaab networks.
During his address, President Hassan heavily stressed the absolute importance of traditional leaders maintaining active involvement in Somalia’s historic transition to a “one-person, one-vote” (1P1V) electoral system. He noted that this framework fundamentally enables citizens to directly and transparently choose their political representatives. He also formally praised the elders for their vital historical role in maintaining community unity, mediating localized conflicts, and consistently supporting the expansion of national governance.
Mutual Commitment to State-Building
In response to the briefing, the senior traditional elders formally expressed their deep gratitude for the President’s visit and his direct, on-the-ground engagement during this highly critical transitional period for South West State. They acknowledged the Federal Government’s continued dedication to tangible peacebuilding and economic development in the region.
Signaling a major political victory for Villa Somalia, the elders voiced strong, unified backing for the Federal Government’s overarching plan to implement the universal suffrage electoral model. Concluding the session, the traditional leaders explicitly reiterated their long-term commitment to mobilizing local communities and contributing directly to national initiatives designed to permanently restore ultimate political power to the Somali people.
