Somalia’s South West minister demands federal MP’s handover for clan violence trial

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State’s minister of security on Sunday urged the federal government to hand over federal legislator Dahir Amiin Jeesow to the regional administration to face trial over allegations he helped instigate deadly clan clashes in Lower Shabelle.

Speaking to reporters in Baidoa, Security Minister Hassan Abdukadir accused the member of parliament of acting as a spoiler in Walanweyn district and across parts of the Lower Shabelle region, where a recent surge of inter-clan violence has strained local authorities and security forces.

“We are calling for the handover of Dahir Amiin Jeesow to face justice,” Abdukadir said, asserting that the lawmaker’s alleged actions have fueled unrest. He appealed to residents of Yaqbari Weyne and neighboring areas to prioritize peace, coexistence and stability as security agencies work to contain the bloodshed.

Abdukadir also welcomed rulings by the Military Court that imposed tough sentences on individuals found guilty of involvement in the latest clashes around Walanweyn. He praised the Somali National Army and the South West Dervish forces for rapidly deploying to hot spots and said they had “completely stabilized the situation” in the district.

Jeesow rejected the accusations and pushed back against the demand for his handover, calling the minister’s remarks “a violation of the law and the reputation of a national MP.”

“I am not responding to a local minister, and he is a man whose land is under al-Shabaab control,” Jeesow said, dismissing the claims and arguing that he has long acted as a mediator in efforts to reconcile warring clans and stabilize communities.

The war of words underscores growing friction between regional and federal actors over accountability for the latest cycle of clan violence in Lower Shabelle. While the Military Court has recently announced sentences tied to the unrest, localized disputes, retaliatory attacks and resource competition have continued to threaten security in rural districts around Walanweyn.

Abdukadir’s call for Jeesow’s handover signals a harder line by the South West administration as it seeks to deter organizers and financiers of clan militias. The minister framed the push as a rule-of-law initiative intended to consolidate gains by the Somali National Army and allied South West forces, which have been tasked with separating rival groups and reopening roads in affected areas.

Jeesow, a prominent federal politician, has positioned himself as a peacemaker in previous reconciliation efforts and said the latest allegations are politically motivated. He insisted that his involvement in Lower Shabelle has focused on dialogue and de-escalation, not incitement.

The Lower Shabelle region remains one of Somalia’s most volatile, with recurring clan tensions exacerbated by weak local dispute-resolution mechanisms and the persistent presence of armed groups. Recent sentences by the Military Court have aimed to send a deterrent message, yet officials and elders say durable calm depends on sustained mediation, disarmament and credible accountability for those accused of orchestrating violence.

It was not immediately clear what specific charges regional authorities would seek if Jeesow were transferred to South West State jurisdiction. Federal officials had not publicly responded to Abdukadir’s demand by late Sunday.

As both sides trade accusations, residents in Walanweyn and nearby villages face the lingering aftermath of clashes that have disrupted livelihoods, displaced families and strained public services. Community leaders say the coming days will test whether recent security operations and court rulings can translate into lasting peace or whether simmering grievances will again spill into violence.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.