Baidoa (WDN) – Baidoa has been placed under an unprecedented security lockdown ahead of the inauguration of South West State’s newly installed president, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Aden Madobe), as authorities move to prevent any disruption to one of Somalia’s most politically sensitive events.

Residents reported an unusually heavy security presence across the city, with additional Somali security forces deployed throughout Baidoa and its surrounding areas. Local sources also described continuous aerial surveillance, saying F-16 fighter jets and unmanned drones were operating over the city throughout the day as part of an extensive security operation.

The extraordinary security measures underscore official concerns that the inauguration could become a target for armed attacks or political unrest. According to local sources, security agencies fear possible attacks by forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), who continues to reject the political transition. The authorities are also on heightened alert over the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab, which remains active in parts of the Bay Region.

The installation of Adan Madobe as the new leader of South West State is a central pillar of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s broader political strategy to hold on to power under the guise of implementing the flawed one-person, one-vote (1P1V) electoral system.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony after arriving in Baidoa with a high-level federal delegation. An advance team had already reached the city a day earlier to coordinate security and finalize preparations for the event.

The ceremony has also drawn senior federal and regional leaders from across Somalia. The presidents of Hirshabelle and Puntland, along with other senior officials, arrived in Baidoa ahead of the inauguration and held consultations with Aden Madobe on the ceremony and the country’s evolving political situation.

The scale of the security operation has surprised many residents, transforming Baidoa into one of the country’s most heavily guarded cities for the day. The unprecedented deployment reflects both the political sensitivity of the inauguration and the volatile security environment surrounding South West State, where political divisions remain deep despite the official transfer of power.

WardheerNews