Somalia’s Laftagareen Says He Remains Legitimate Southwest State President, Vows Return After May 15

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the former South West state leader, broke weeks of silence on Monday with a forceful declaration: he still regards himself as the legitimate president of the regional administration and intends to return later this month.

Laftagareen said he would head back to the Southwest area 13 days after the current term of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ends, insisting that he plans to resume his duties despite the political standoff surrounding his ouster.

“If May 15 is reached, South West will not follow what I describe as President Hassan Sheikh’s plan,” Laftagareen said. “As you know, I am the lawful president of South West, duly elected. I was re-elected on March 28, and that is why I remain president.”

He also rejected a resignation letter that has been shared in his name, calling it a fabrication produced under duress. Laftagareen said any move to step aside had been tied to efforts to safeguard his own life and that of his father-in-law, Gen. Mahad Abdirahman, the former Somali prisons chief.

Describing his exit from Baidoa, he said he faced what he termed two months of sustained military pressure and accused federal forces of mounting a “full-scale offensive” backed by money, armored vehicles and aircraft.

Laftagareen said federal troops were able to slip into Baidoa by taking an unexpected route after aerial surveillance exposed South West defensive positions, enabling them to avoid the front line and move through the Abu Cashara area outside the city.

He added that he instructed his forces not to engage, saying he wanted to prevent civilian casualties in Baidoa, which he said has a population of more than one million.

Laftagareen further blamed Villa Somalia, the federal government’s headquarters, for applying intense pressure, saying, “The target was not me, but South West.”

He urged South West residents to stay patient and said “better days are coming,” framing the dispute as the opening phase of a broader political confrontation.

AXADLETM