Somali Army Seizes Key South West State City After Recent Break With Mogadishu

Somalia’s federal government has asserted control over the strategic city of Baidoa, triggering the resignation of a regional leader as federal forces entered Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West state.

The army entered Baidoa on March 30, taking control of a city located about 245 km northwest of Mogadishu. The move followed recent breakdown in relations between the regional administration and the federal government.

Local accounts described a subdued situation after the takeover. “Federal forces have taken over Baidoa… it is now calm… but it looks like a ghost town,” said elder Adan Hussein to Reuters. A shopkeeper confirmed troops had established control across key areas.

The military move coincided with the resignation of South West state president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, who stepped down days after being re-elected for a five-year term.

The crisis follows the regional administration’s decision two weeks earlier to sever ties with Mogadishu, reflecting escalating tensions over constitutional reforms and political authority.

Baidoa, a major hub for humanitarian agencies and international peacekeepers, has seen significant civilian displacement. Residents fled over the past week, while aid organizations suspended operations amid fears of clashes.

Somalia’s federal information ministry blamed the regional leadership, stating that “the former South West state administration… created political conflict,” and said federal forces were welcomed upon arrival.

The dispute highlights recurring tensions in Somalia’s federal model, where disagreements over elections and power-sharing trigger political crises.