The planned election for South West State (KGS), scheduled to take place on the 28th of this month, is facing growing fears of a delay amid escalating political tensions in the city of Baidoa.
With only four days remaining until the designated election date, political confusion persists alongside a strong protest from forces loyal to former South West State President Abdiasis Laftagareen.
This situation has raised serious concerns that the election for the regional council and parliament may be postponed.
Meanwhile, several politicians are vying for the South West State presidency. The race is notably contested between the JPS party led by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other candidates seeking the position.
The general situation in Baidoa remains tense and unstable, with little certainty over how events will unfold in the coming hours.
There are fears that the political standoff could escalate into armed confrontation if an urgent solution to the current dispute is not reached.
Nevertheless, peace efforts led by local traditional elders are ongoing. The elders are working to find a lasting resolution to the political deadlock that has overshadowed the election process.
In the latest developments, reports indicate that the district commissioner and the deputy security minister of the South West administration have been disarmed in Baidoa, and their movements have been restricted.
Both officials previously worked under former president Laftagareen, though the official reason behind these measures has not yet been disclosed.
These new actions could further destabilize the situation and pose an obstacle to holding the election as scheduled, unless the disputes and grievances related to the electoral process are resolved quickly.