South West parliament speaker opposes federal plan for Barawe elections

Ali Said Fiqi, Speaker of the Parliament of South West State, has strongly warned against plans by the Federal Government of Somalia to hold elections in Barawe, saying the move could pose a serious threat to regional stability.

In a statement posted on X, Dr. Fiqi argued that Barawe has never functioned as an administrative capital for the state, noting that no parliamentary sessions or cabinet meetings have ever been held there. He stressed that the center of governance and decision-making has consistently been based in Baidoa, where both legislative and executive institutions operate.

He accused the federal government of pushing aggressively for elections to be held in Barawe, describing the plan as unacceptable and potentially dangerous. According to Fiqi, the deployment of federal troops to the city signals that the move is not based on consensus or legal frameworks, but rather an attempt to impose a political agenda by force.

The speaker further warned that forces under the South West State administration are on alert and prepared to defend their territory, adding that the risk of confrontation is real and could escalate unpredictably if tensions continue to rise.

Ali Said Fiqi cautioned that any provocation in Barawe would be a grave mistake and held the federal government fully responsible for any conflict that may arise. He emphasized that such a dispute would not serve the interests of the Somali people but could instead deepen divisions and undermine stability.

The dispute highlights growing tensions between the Federal Government and South West State, as disagreements over elections, governance, and authority continue to strain relations and raise concerns about broader political instability in Somalia.