Federal Government Declares South West State Mandate Expired Amid Rising Political Tensions

The Federal Government of Somalia has announced that the mandate of the South West regional administration, including its president, Abdiaziz Hasan Mahamed Lafta Gareen, has officially ended. The declaration, issued by the Ministry of Interior, deepens a growing political rift between Mogadishu and the regional capital, Baidoa.

In a statement released on Sunday, the federal government said that the term of the South West state leadership had legally expired and that it would no longer recognize any appointments or dismissals made by the current administration. According to the ministry, no further binding decisions from the existing leadership will be accepted. The move comes after weeks of escalating tensions between the federal government and the South West state, with disputes centered on political authority, control over regional resources, and the limits of federal oversight. The standoff has increasingly polarized the two levels of government, raising concerns about the stability of Somalia’s federal system.

Alongside its rejection of the current administration’s authority, the federal government said it has initiated a plan to organize fresh leadership elections for the South West State. According to the Ministry of Interior, the process will begin with broad consultations involving local politicians, traditional elders, and civil society representatives from the region. The ministry emphasized that the goal is to establish a new, legally recognized state leadership through an inclusive and timely electoral process.

The announcement signals Mogadishu’s intent to sideline the current administration led by Lafta Gareen, a veteran politician who has led South West State since 2018. His relationship with the federal government has been turbulent, marked by periodic confrontations over elections, security arrangements, and federal revenue sharing.

The timing of the federal government’s declaration is significant. South West State is one of Somalia’s five federal member states and plays a critical role in the country’s broader political landscape. The region has also been at the forefront of the ongoing war against Al-Shabaab, with Baidoa serving as a key base for government-aligned forces.

Analysts say the decision to declare the state leadership’s mandate expired, without a formal agreement between Mogadishu and Baidoa, could further complicate counter-insurgency efforts and destabilize an already fragile political environment.

As of Sunday evening, the South West administration had not issued an official response to the federal government’s statement. However, in recent days, Lafta Gareen and his allies have publicly rejected federal interference in the region’s internal affairs, insisting that the state government retains its legal mandate.

Despite the confrontational tone, the federal government has called for calm, urging all parties to pursue a peaceful transition through dialogue. In its statement, the Ministry of Interior emphasized the importance of inclusivity and patience as the consultation process moves forward.

A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the federal government is committed to ensuring that the people of South West State have a leadership that is both legitimate and representative.

The coming days are likely to be critical. With the federal government now moving to assert direct influence over the regional leadership transition, all eyes will be on Baidoa to see whether the current administration accepts the federal directive or resists, a decision that could shape the future of federal-state relations in Somalia.