Baidoa (WDN)- The President of South West state of Somalia Abdiaziz Laftagareen has launched his re-election campaign in accordance with the Southwest State (SWS) Constitution and the Provisional Federal Constitution of Somalia (PFCS). While the election date remains unspecified, preparations are in full swing.

President Laftagareen’s bid for another term comes at a time of regional discord, particularly following Southwest leaders’ opposition to the federal government’s efforts to expel Ethiopian troops. This move was part of Mogadishu’s broader campaign against the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which has sparked significant political friction between Ethiopi and Somalia. Ethiopian forces have been instrumental in safeguarding regional stability, particularly in Southwest by countering the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab.

In response to Laftagareen’s reelection bid, the Manshil Forum, a coalition of Southwest opposition politicians, launched a renewed political campaign against his administration from Mogadishu. Key opposition figures, including former Southwest President Hassan Sheikh Adan and former Speaker Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman, convened to address governance concerns and the federal government’s inaction.

They condemned the extended tenure of the Southwest House of Representatives, accusing it of illegally overseeing the election process. The opposition rejected Laftagareen’s recent measures as unconstitutional and called for broader consultations among politicians and intellectuals to navigate the region’s political crisis.  

With tensions rising, Southwest State faces a fierce power struggle, as opposition groups and the incumbent administration vie for control. The outcome of the Southwest elections could significantly reshape Somalia’s federal landscape in the months ahead.

WardheerNews