Friday 3 April 2026 {HMC}Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Baidoa on Friday, marking his first visit to the Southwest regional capital since the appointment of an interim administration and the recent political upheaval in the state.
According to a statement from Villa Somalia, the visit is focused on accelerating the delivery of social services, advancing peace and reconciliation efforts, strengthening governance and supporting preparations for Somalia’s planned one-person, one-vote elections.
The president is expected to hold meetings with the interim leadership of Southwest State, traditional elders, security officials, members of the armed forces and civil society representatives.
“President Hassan Sheikh will hold consultations aimed at strengthening security, restoring public services and advancing the democratization process to meet the aspirations of the Somali people for peace, stability and sustainable development,” the statement said.
The visit comes at a sensitive political moment. The federal government recently appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi as interim head of Southwest State following unrest and leadership changes in Baidoa. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said the move was intended to ensure continuity of governance and stabilize the region during preparations for universal suffrage elections.
However, the appointment has drawn criticism from opposition figures and political leaders who argue it violates constitutional provisions governing federal member states.
The Somali Future Council has condemned the decision, calling it unconstitutional and warning that it undermines Somalia’s federal system. Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke also criticized the move, saying there is no legal basis for the federal government to replace a regional administration with a transitional authority.
Analysts say the president’s visit is likely aimed at consolidating federal authority in the region while seeking to calm tensions and project stability after weeks of confrontation between Mogadishu and the former Southwest leadership.
Southwest State has been at the center of broader disputes over constitutional amendments extending the mandates of federal institutions and the implementation of direct elections. The developments have heightened political tensions between the federal government and some regional administrations.
