A Rushed Election: South West State Defies Mogadishu as Laftagareen Secures Second Term
- Gallaydh News Desk
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
BAIDOA, Somalia In a dramatic political maneuver that has sent shockwaves through Somalia's political landscape, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed, widely known as "Laftagareen," has been re-elected as President of South West State in a highly accelerated snap election. The sudden move firmly establishes Laftagareen as the third regional leader to openly break ranks with the political agenda of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, following similar defiance from Puntland and Jubaland.
A Snap Election Concluded in Hours
The execution of this election marks an unprecedented event in Somalia’s recent political history. Less than an hour after the newly formed regional parliament elected its new speaker, Ali Said Fiqi, alongside his deputies, the chamber immediately proceeded to the presidential vote.
Abdiaziz Laftagareen, 53, secured a landslide victory with 66 votes, while his sole challenger received only 13 votes, according to the South West State electoral commission. By securing more than two-thirds of the 95-member parliament, Laftagareen won the presidency outright in the first round as dictated by the regional constitution. This victory makes him the first leader to serve two consecutive terms since the establishment of South West State in 2015. He was sworn into office immediately at the election venue.
Villa Somalia's Military Posturing and Accusations
The secrecy and rapid pace of the election were reportedly driven by intelligence suggesting that the federal government was planning a military intervention in Baidoa to oust Laftagareen.
While the swift electoral process was unfolding in Baidoa, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, seemingly unaware of the rapidly changing realities on the ground, launched a scathing verbal attack on Laftagareen during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the capital, Mogadishu.
President Mohamud accused Laftagareen of reneging on a previous agreement to hold a universal "One Person, One Vote" election, similar to the controversial framework proposed by the federal government. He noted that South West State had decided to chart its own course and sever ties with the central government. Emphasizing that his administration had invested heavily in the electoral process, Mohamud declared that Villa Somalia would never accept a unilateral election.
This political rift has rapidly escalated into a military standoff. Late into the night, the federal government reportedly deployed heavily armed troops to the town of Burhakaba. Security analysts believe these forces were mobilizing for a potential offensive against Baidoa.
Laftagareen’s Fiery Rebuttal: "A Pistol to My Head"
Shortly after taking his oath of office, President Laftagareen delivered a defiant speech directly addressing the accusations leveled by Villa Somalia. Shedding light on the nature of his past political dealings with the federal government, he made a startling claim.
"There is no agreement I entered into. A pistol was held to my head, and I was told to accept or be killed," Laftagareen stated.
This explosive remark clearly indicates that the South West leader views any prior electoral agreements with Villa Somalia as having been signed under extreme duress, effectively absolving himself of any obligation to honor them.
Opposition Boycott and Endorsements from Former Presidents
Despite Laftagareen’s swift victory, the local opposition in South West State completely boycotted the results. They condemned the process as lacking full legitimacy, describing it as a "coronation" rather than a democratic election, and criticized the lack of an inclusive and transparent framework.
Conversely, the nation's former presidents welcomed the election outcome, a move widely interpreted as a show of support for the federal system and a unified stance against Villa Somalia's centralization efforts.
Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo sent his congratulations, noting that the election is vital for the political stability of South West State. He urged the new leadership to accelerate local reconciliation, liberate territories controlled by armed groups, and improve social services.
Similarly, Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed praised the newly sworn-in lawmakers. He called on other regional states whose mandates have expired to hold their elections as soon as possible to avoid a political vacuum that could endanger national security.
The Collapse of Villa Somalia’s Grand Strategy
Ultimately, this election opens a volatile new chapter in Somalia’s ongoing political deadlock. Laftagareen's successful re-election signifies a major political defeat for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, effectively unraveling his ambitious "One Person, One Vote" project and his push for sweeping constitutional amendments.
Somalia is now entering a precarious phase of uncertainty. With the country's most significant regional states turning their backs on the central government, there are mounting fears that this political crisis could spark fresh conflicts and direct armed confrontations between federal troops and regional security forces.
