MOGADISHU — Somali government forces have intensified military movements near the town of Buurhakaba as tensions rise between the federal government and regional authorities in South West State.
Residents and local sources said troops that arrived in Buurhakaba late Friday were conducting heavy operations on Saturday, with plans to advance toward Daynuunay, a key defensive area on the outskirts of Baidoa.
The deployment comes as local militia forces aligned with South West State — reportedly operating under the name “Badbaadada Koofur Galbeed” — have taken positions ahead of federal troops, raising fears of a possible armed confrontation.
Speaking in Mogadishu on Saturday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the federal government does not recognize any attempt by South West State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Lafta Gareen to extend his term through what he described as a unilateral electoral process.
In Baidoa, preparations are underway for a regional vote organized by the South West electoral commission, despite mounting opposition and security concerns. Witnesses reported increased activity around key government buildings, while tensions remained high across the city.
There are currently no active mediation efforts to ease the standoff, and analysts warn that both sides appear to be preparing for a possible military resolution.
The situation highlights deepening divisions within Somalia’s federal system, as disputes over elections, constitutional authority, and power-sharing continue to strain relations between the central government and regional states.
Observers fear that any outbreak of violence in Baidoa — a strategic political and security hub — could destabilize the wider Bay region and undermine ongoing effo rts to combat the militant group al-Shabab.
Political analysts say that Lafta Gareen appears to be increasingly isolated, both politically and militarily, amid the current crisis. Despite indications that he may be relying on potential support from Ethiopia, his position remains uncertain in the face of mounting pressure from the federal government and internal opposition.
