Southwest State imposes Baidoa curfew after clashes near city
He said security personnel will begin searching homes and facilities believed to present a threat. The minister stressed that the operation is not directed at any political camp or individual, but rather forms part of a wider effort...
Monday June 1, 2026
Baidoa (AX) — Southwest State moved quickly on Monday to tighten security in Baidoa, imposing a nighttime curfew and introducing fresh weapons-registration rules after clashes between federal government forces and troops loyal to former regional President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
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Security Minister Mohamed Hussein Hassan Joon announced that the curfew will take effect from 7 p.m. until morning and will stay in place until further notice. He said the restrictions are meant to protect residents, secure the city and shield public property as the region heads toward elections.
Joon also ordered the re-registration of all weapons held by government officials, politicians, private security companies, international organizations and United Nations agencies operating in Baidoa.
He said security personnel will begin searching homes and facilities believed to present a threat. The minister stressed that the operation is not directed at any political camp or individual, but rather forms part of a wider effort to safeguard the electoral process and maintain public order.
Joon urged anyone suspected of involvement in unrest or ties to armed groups to turn themselves in to authorities. He warned that anyone found undermining security in Baidoa or disrupting the election process would face firm action.
“The door is open to anyone who wants to participate in politics. But there will be no place for war or weapons to express political dissent,” the minister said.
The new measures come after intense fighting on Saturday morning on the outskirts of Baidoa between federal government forces and fighters aligned with Laftagareen.
The clashes erupted near Baidoa, the interim capital of Southwest State. No independent casualty count has been confirmed, although videos shared on social media appeared to show injured soldiers.
The violence has deepened worries about stability in Southwest State, where disputes over leadership, elections and federal influence have increasingly spilled into armed confrontation.
