Somalia’s Southwest State bars security officers from leaving Baidoa amid rising political tensions

BAIDOA, Somalia — Southwest State’s Ministry of Internal Security has barred designated senior security officers from leaving Baidoa “until further notice,” citing ongoing security operations and the need to uphold general stability across the region.

In a directive issued Monday, the ministry said the travel restriction takes effect March 16, 2026, and applies to specified officers based in the regional capital. The order, framed as a measure to “ensure the security and general stability of the areas of the Government,” instructs all affected personnel to remain in Baidoa and to comply pending further official communication.

“The Ministry of Internal Security of the South West Government of Somalia, in discharging its responsibility to ensure the security and general stability of the areas of the Government, hereby informs all the above-mentioned officers that starting today, 16/03/2026, they cannot leave the city of Baidoa for any trip until further notice while security operations are being carried out,” the statement said.

The move comes amid reports that the Federal Government in Mogadishu has summoned several senior military and intelligence officials from Southwest State to the capital this week. Some officers are said to have already arrived in Mogadishu, while others have not publicly responded or clarified their position.

Among those reportedly summoned are:

• Gen. Mohamud Shahiyow, commander of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Southwest State
• Gen. Mohamed Yariisow Adan, commander of the Somali National Army’s 60th Division

Neither the federal government nor the Southwest administration has released details on the purpose or scope of the reported summonses.

The directive, and the parallel developments in Mogadishu, land at a politically charged moment. Relations between the federal center and several member states have been strained by recently approved constitutional amendments and debates over the electoral framework that will shape upcoming votes. Some lawmakers elected from Southwest State have accused the federal government of attempting to influence the region’s elections, allegations federal authorities have not officially addressed.

The ministry’s order underscores how security portfolios often sit at the nexus of politics and stability in Somalia’s federal system. While the statement presented the restriction as a routine operational step, it effectively anchors key security decision-makers in Baidoa at a time when coordination with federal counterparts in Mogadishu is reportedly in flux.

It was not immediately clear how many officers fall under the “above-mentioned” category cited in the directive or how long the ban on official travel might remain in place as operations continue. The ministry did not provide a timeline or additional operational details beyond the instruction to remain in Baidoa and await further guidance.

Southwest State, one of Somalia’s most populous federal member states, has long been a focal point for national counterinsurgency campaigns and political jockeying, given its strategic position and security footprint. Any disruption to the chain of command or movement of senior officers can have ripple effects on coordination, logistics and field operations.

As of Monday, there was no public indication that the ministry’s order had been rescinded or modified. Officials in both Baidoa and Mogadishu have yet to outline next steps, leaving the status of the reported summonses — and what they mean for Southwest State’s security leadership — unresolved.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.