BAIDOA – The Cabinet of the South West State of Somalia, chaired by Interim Leader Jibriil Cabdirashiid Xaaji, convened an executive session in Baidoa to review the region’s overall condition, with a focus on security operations, development initiatives, and public service enhancements. During the meeting, the council formally adopted two regulatory frameworks from the regional Ministry of Public Works: the Housing Policy and the Building Permit Policy.
The newly approved policies are designed to standardize urban planning, improve infrastructure quality, and formalize construction permit management across the state. Officials said the frameworks aim to bring greater organization to urban expansion, ensure building standards are met, and streamline the approval process for construction projects. The Interim Leader has recently conducted inspection tours of key ministries to assess operational effectiveness and institutional performance, underscoring the administration’s focus on governance and service delivery.
The Cabinet emphasized that prompt implementation of these frameworks is crucial for advancing structural development and modernizing urban areas in the South West State. The policies are expected to play a key role in shaping Baidoa’s physical environment, ensuring the safety and functionality of public spaces and infrastructure, while also addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization.
Background: Political Transition and Development Priorities
The cabinet meeting comes amid ongoing political transition in South West State, following the appointment of Jibriil Cabdirashiid Xaaji as interim leader by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre after the resignation of former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) on March 30. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has chaired high-level security and administrative meetings in Baidoa to oversee the transition and ensure stability, while the interim leader has been tasked with advancing preparations for universal suffrage elections in the region.
Baidoa, the provisional capital of South West State, has seen significant infrastructure investment in recent years. Previous administrations have focused on stabilizing the region and expanding public services, and the new housing and building permit policies build on those efforts by addressing urban planning challenges. International partners, including UNOPS and the ILO, have supported infrastructure projects in the city, including the design of urban roads and drainage systems aimed at improving living conditions and economic resilience. The adoption of these policies represents a step toward institutionalizing urban management standards as the region continues its post-conflict reconstruction and development trajectory.
