Laftagareen returns to Baidoa amid flight suspension tensions

Southwest State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen arrived in Baidoa despite a reported suspension of flights and rising tensions with Somalia’s federal government.

Southwest State President Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen reached Baidoa on Monday, despite an air travel suspension that halted passenger flights from Mogadishu earlier in the day.

Reports indicate that the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) had sought to prevent his return to the regional capital, though this could not be independently verified.

Laftagareen had spent the past week in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. Sources in Baidoa told Axadle that he entered the country through a border town along the Somalia–Ethiopia frontier.

His arrival in Baidoa was not publicly announced in advance.

The development comes as Southwest State faces growing political and security tensions linked to an upcoming regional election.

The federal government has not issued an official statement on the situation. However, sources in Mogadishu say authorities oppose plans by Laftagareen to hold a unilateral election in Southwest State.

Relations between the federal government and the Southwest State administration have deteriorated in recent months, with disagreements centered on the organization of contested elections.

Southwest State is now reported to be the third federal member state to cut ties with Mogadishu, following similar moves by Puntland and Jubaland over disputes related to constitutional changes and election processes.

Earlier this year, violence broke out in Baidoa after militia groups—reportedly backed by politicians linked to the federal government—clashed with Southwest State security forces.

The tensions have also been linked to the takeover of Buurhakaba and Qansax Dheere by armed groups opposed to the regional administration.