By Hassan Adan
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met traditional elders in the southern city of Baidoa on Sunday, intensifying efforts to restore stability and advance planned elections in Southwest State following days of political upheaval.
The meeting focused on promoting reconciliation among communities, strengthening governance, and coordinating responses to the ongoing drought, while also laying groundwork for Somalia’s transition toward one-person, one-vote elections.
Officials said the discussions highlighted the need to align local leadership structures with national electoral timelines.
The president’s visit comes after a leadership crisis in Southwest State, where regional president Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen stepped down amid mounting political pressure and internal divisions.
His resignation followed consultations with federal leaders and key stakeholders, after which he traveled to Nairobi in what analysts view as a move aimed at easing tensions.
Subsequently, federal forces secured key areas in Baidoa and an interim administration was put in place — a move that has fueled debate over constitutional boundaries and the balance of power between Somalia’s federal government and its member states.
In parallel, Somalia’s electoral authorities have moved to operationalize the election process in the region.
The National Independent Electoral Commission has appointed a senior electoral officer to oversee preparations in Southwest State, including voter registration, logistics coordination and engagement with local stakeholders, as part of broader efforts to roll out nationwide elections.
Addressing the elders, President Mohamud underscored their central role in maintaining peace and unity.
“Traditional elders have always been the foundation of unity and reconciliation in our society,” he said, calling for closer collaboration between community leaders and state institutions to ensure lasting stability.
He added that such cooperation would be vital not only for improving security and service delivery but also for building public trust in the upcoming electoral process.
Elders who attended the meeting welcomed the president’s outreach and pledged support for reconciliation efforts, emphasizing their commitment to dialogue, conflict resolution and backing national reforms.
Southwest State has recently witnessed clashes between federal and regional forces alongside political disputes over leadership and governance.
While federal authorities maintain that their intervention is necessary to stabilize the region and advance democratic reforms, critics argue it raises constitutional concerns and risks undermining federalism.
The developments in Baidoa now place Southwest State at the center of Somalia’s broader political transition, as the federal government seeks to organize inclusive elections across the country.
Officials say the success of the process will depend on improved security, cooperation with regional actors and the ability to build consensus among local communities,
