Politics

Large military trucks belonging to the Somali National Army (SNA) pushed deep into the city’s interior on Monday, but the expected public fanfare was absent. Residents looked on with what witnesses described as “emotional numbness”—neither welcoming nor resisting the heavy deployment.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, and MP Abdikadir Osoble have not issued congratulatory messages to Abdi Aziz Lafta Gareen following his re-election as South West State President. The absence of recognition signals political dissatisfaction over the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process, deepening divisions within Somalia’s political landscape.

Fresh from his re-election victory, the President of Southwest State has pledged to consolidate security gains, accelerate development projects, and expand healthcare services, asking for continued support to “complete what remains” of his administration’s agenda.

In an unprecedented parliamentary broadside, MP Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib has formally accused Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama of treason, alleging the Cabinet member is a foreign agent who looted US aid, facilitates Al-Shabaab operations, and is orchestrating atrocities in South-West State.

In a sharp escalation of federal-regional tensions, Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali-Hoosh has issued a decree appointing a new governor for Bakool and a new mayor for Xudur, bypassing Southwest State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen and citing security concerns and the push for one-person, one-vote elections.

The former Secretary General of Somalia’s ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) resigned on March 25, publicly criticising President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for consolidating power and outlining five main grievances, including the mishandling of constitutional amendments and restrictions on lawmakers’ travel, which he described as violations of parliamentary immunity. Villa Somalia has not yet responded. The opposition has cited the resignation as evidence of divisions within the government’s leadership.

South West State has issued a stern warning to all airlines operating in its territory, threatening to revoke operating permits for any carrier found illegally transporting weapons or military forces. Officials accused the federal government of using both military and civilian aircraft to arm "unknown hands" and destabilize the region.