Somali region cuts ties with federal government

Officials from the South West state have announced a split with Mogadishu over interference in local affairs

The South West state of Somalia has severed relations with the federal government, several news agencies have reported, citing local officials.  

During a press conference on Tuesday, authorities in the regional administration said the move came after disagreements with Mogadishu. They accused the federal government of arming militias and trying to overthrow state President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen. 

“After numerous discussions with the federal authorities, during which we demanded an end to the interference, it became clear that these actions were weakening the foundations of South West’s statehood,” officials said as quoted by Shabelle Media. Cooperation will be suspended “until a federal authority that respects the constitutional system is in place.” 

The federal government has not issued a detailed response.  

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Separately, the South West state’s Ministry of Internal Security suspended movements of military officers on Monday, providing notice that “they cannot travel outside the city of Baidoa until further notice.”   

Similar disputes in other federal member states have flared up in recent years. In March 2024, the semi-autonomous Puntland administration announced it would no longer recognize the federal government until disputed constitutional amendments are approved in a nationwide referendum. In November 2024, the semi-autonomous Jubaland region suspended ties with Mogadishu over disagreements regarding regional elections. 

Somalia’s current political system developed after the collapse of the central government in 1991, when regions began forming their own administrations. In the northwest, Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and operates with its own institutions, though it is not widely recognized internationally. In the northeast, Puntland declared itself an autonomous region in 1998. Unlike Somaliland, Puntland seeks to be part of a federal Somalia and does not seek full independence. 

Other regions, including South West state, were established later as part of efforts to rebuild governance under a federal system.  

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Beyond tensions between regional states and the federal government, Somalia continues to face a long-running conflict with Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent groups, particularly Al-Shabaab. The terrorist group continues to carry out raids, bombings, and targeted assassinations in an effort to destabilize the Somali government and regional security structures.