Baidoa, Somalia — President of Southwest State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, today presided over the official opening of the new headquarters for the Ministries of Justice and Interior Security in Baidoa, the interim capital of the region. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Federal Government ministers, regional leaders, and international partners.
The newly completed complex is expected to significantly enhance administrative efficiency, judicial accessibility, and public security operations across Southwest State, which remains a key front in Somalia’s ongoing stabilization and federalization efforts.
“This marks a historic step toward strengthening governance, rule of law, and internal stability in our region. It reflects our collective commitment to justice, security, and the delivery of services to our people,” said President Laftagareen.
Federal Minister of Justice, Hassan Moalim, and Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, hailed the development as a milestone in institutional capacity-building. Both emphasized that the new infrastructure would improve coordination between regional and federal institutions in law enforcement and the judiciary.
Officials also noted that the facility is equipped with modern offices, digitized archives, and secure communication systems to support ongoing reforms in the justice and security sectors. The headquarters will serve as a central hub for policy development, case management, and inter-agency collaboration.
Southwest State, one of Somalia’s five federal member states, has been striving to improve governance amid security challenges posed by the militant group Al-Shabaab and the broader need for national reconciliation. Today’s inauguration was also viewed as part of efforts to decentralize power and ensure that regional governments are empowered with the resources and infrastructure necessary for effective service delivery.
The event concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the premises, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to good governance and federal cooperation.