BAIDOA, Somalia – Incumbent leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, popularly known as Laftagareen, was re-elected as the president of Somalia’s Southwest State on Saturday, following a high-stakes vote in the regional capital, Baidoa.
Laftagareen’s victory comes just hours after his close ally, Dr. Ali Said Fiqi, was reinstated as the Speaker of the regional parliament, consolidating the administration’s grip on the semi-autonomous region.
Addressing the lawmakers shortly after the results were announced, Laftagareen appealed for unity, citing his administration’s resilience during a period of intense political and security challenges.
“I am asking for your vote, in consideration of the difficult circumstances we have faced and the achievements we have made together,” Laftagareen told the assembly prior to the final count.
The election took place amid heightened tensions with the federal government in Mogadishu. In the days leading up to the vote, Southwest officials accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of attempting to “intimidate” the region by deploying elite federal troops, including the Danab and Gorgor brigades, to the outskirts of Baidoa.
Despite these frictions, the regional parliament proceeded with the ballot under heavy local security. International partners have been closely monitoring the process, as the stability of Southwest State is seen as a cornerstone for the broader fight against the Al-Shabaab insurgency and the overall political roadmap of Somalia.
Laftagareen is now set to lead the region for another four-year term, with his administration expected to prioritize constitutional completion and regional security.
