BAIDOA (Kaab TV) — Newly elected members of the South West State House of Representatives were officially sworn into office on Saturday in Baidoa amid escalating violence and political tensions, as heavy clashes erupted across parts of the city between federal government-backed forces and troops loyal to former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Southwest State’s interim leader, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, alongside officials from the Federal Government of Somalia, traditional elders, lawmakers, and other dignitaries.
During the ceremony, the newly elected lawmakers formally took the oath of office and pledged to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities in serving the people of Southwest State.
Jibril Abdirashid Haji urged the members of parliament to carry out their duties with honesty, integrity, and accountability, emphasizing the need to strengthen governance, improve security, and accelerate development projects across the region.
He described the successful swearing-in process as part of broader efforts to rebuild state institutions and advance political stability in Southwest State despite the ongoing security challenges.
The parliamentary ceremony, however, took place against the backdrop of intense fighting in Baidoa, where federal government-aligned forces clashed with fighters loyal to Laftagareen, who continues to claim he remains the legitimate president of Southwest State.
Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions in several parts of the city beginning early Saturday morning after armed fighters loyal to Laftagareen reportedly entered Baidoa from multiple directions.
Local officials confirmed that several people were killed and wounded in the clashes, while videos circulating on social media showed civilians carrying bodies and evacuating injured people from the streets.
Laftagareen and his allies have recently vowed to regain control of the regional administration, accusing federal-backed authorities of orchestrating an unconstitutional political transition aimed at removing his influence from Southwest State politics.
The latest confrontation highlights the deepening political and security crisis in Southwest State, where disputes over leadership, elections, federal intervention, and power-sharing arrangements have increasingly escalated into armed confrontations.
Baidoa, the interim capital of Southwest State, remains one of Somalia’s most strategically important political and military centers due to its role in regional governance and counterinsurgency operations against Al-Shabaab.
Political tensions in the region have intensified in recent months amid disagreements over the legitimacy of regional institutions, the role of the federal government in local politics, and preparations for future elections in Somalia.
The swearing-in of the new parliament is viewed by federal authorities and allied officials as a major step forward in advancing the federal-backed political process in Southwest State.
However, the continued fighting in Baidoa underscores the significant challenges facing efforts to consolidate authority, maintain security, and achieve political reconciliation in the region.
Community elders and civil society groups have meanwhile called for immediate dialogue between rival political factions to prevent further violence and avoid worsening instability in Southwest State.
