Somali Future Council backs Southwest State’s break with Mogadishu, urges constitutional resolution

Thursday March 19, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Political friction between Baidoa and Mogadishu sharpened Thursday after the opposition-aligned Somali Future Council backed Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen’s decision to freeze relations with the federal government and press ahead with regional elections.

In a statement, the council said it welcomed Southwest’s stance but voiced alarm over a deepening national impasse. It argued that disputes over regional leadership, the electoral framework and recent constitutional amendments must be settled under Somalia’s constitution to protect stability and public trust.

The council urged the federal government and the regional administrations, particularly Galmudug and Hirshabelle, to refrain from steps that could intensify the standoff and instead pursue dialogue that safeguards national unity.

It also cautioned President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud against deploying national armed forces for political ends, accusing federal leaders of actions that could fray the country’s cohesion.

The announcement came a day after Laftagareen reiterated that Southwest State had cut off relations with Mogadishu.

“Starting today, there will be no contact between us and the federal government until something Somalis agree on is brought,” Laftagareen told reporters in Baidoa.

He said cooperation would not resume until a nationally agreed political framework is restored, alleging that federal authorities have weakened the federal system and meddled in Southwest’s internal affairs.

The federal government has yet to issue a direct response to the Somali Future Council’s statement.