Southwest lawmakers to elect regional president in Baidoa under tight security
It remained unclear whether their objections to the voting process had been addressed.
Wednesday June 10, 2026
Baidoa (AX) — Southwest State is set to choose its next president on Wednesday in Baidoa, as authorities enforce a curfew and step up security around an election seen as pivotal for the region’s political future.
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The contest is drawing intense attention because the result is expected to influence both Southwest State’s internal power balance and its ties with the Federal Government of Somalia.
On Tuesday night, two candidates who had voiced concerns about the electoral process — former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Abdiasis Mohamed Jawaari — appeared before the regional House of Representatives to lay out their political programs.
It remained unclear whether their objections to the voting process had been addressed.
Earlier, the candidates had alleged that election officials had not done enough to safeguard ballot secrecy and warned that some lawmakers could face pressure to disclose how they intended to vote.
Among the leading contenders is Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, the speaker of Somalia’s House of the People. He is widely regarded as the candidate favored by the federal government, although federal officials have not publicly confirmed any endorsement.
Madobe continues to serve as speaker of the federal lower house, and no official statement has been issued announcing that he has stepped down from the post.
The Somali Police Command said a daily curfew would remain in force in Baidoa throughout the election period. Security forces have been directed to tighten their presence and move quickly to prevent any incident that could spark unrest.
Police said emergency services would still be allowed to operate during the curfew to support the sick and pregnant women in need of medical attention.
Security personnel were also told not to fire celebratory gunshots once the results are announced. Authorities called on residents to share any information about possible threats or insecurity.
The vote takes place against a backdrop of rising political tensions in Southwest State, where competition among rival candidates and questions about federal influence have emerged as defining themes of the race.
