In an official statement, the ministry said the election held in Baydhabo was “an unlawful act and a premeditated self-appointment.”

“This action contravenes all agreements of the National Consultative Council, the electoral laws, and the national constitution, and it does not reflect the will of the people of South West State,” the statement read.

The ministry added: “It is clear that what took place was not a legitimate election, but rather a blatant attempt to manipulate the democratic process and impose a pre-determined outcome. The procedure, concluded within 24 hours, lacked transparency, free competition, and legal legitimacy, and therefore cannot be recognized as an election in accordance with the constitution and the country’s governance system.”

The statement further emphasized that the vote undermines the legal principles guiding Somalia’s state-building process, worsens long-standing grievances in South West State, and threatens ongoing reconciliation and democratization efforts.

“The Federal Government of Somalia stresses that no process rooted in illegality, coercion, or political corruption, disguised as an election, can be accepted. Legitimate leadership can only emerge from the genuine will of the people through a free, transparent, fair, and lawful process,” the statement said.

It concluded by reaffirming the federal government’s commitment “to defending the constitution, upholding the federal system, and implementing free, fair, and transparent elections that reflect the true will of the Somali people.”

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President Laftagareen secured 66 votes, while his opponent received 13 votes, according to the South West State Electoral Commission.

The presidential vote took place less than an hour after the same parliament elected its new Speaker, Dr. Ali Said Fiqi, and his deputies, making it one of the fastest electoral processes in Somalia, with both the legislative and executive leadership established within hours.

The re-elected president was immediately sworn in and delivered a speech criticizing the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), stating that the country’s political direction is not on the right track.

“The election we held today was forced upon us by the federal government, which for a long time opposed the holding of elections in South West State. We have not understood the agenda or direction it is pursuing,” said President Laftagareen.

He denied claims that he had entered into any agreement with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud regarding one-person, one-vote elections or constitutional changes.

“There is no such agreement that I have entered into,” he said, defending the right of federal member states to hold similar elections, citing Jubaland, which held elections at the end of 2024 despite opposition from the federal government.

Laftagareen also criticized remarks made earlier by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who said significant funds had been spent on preparing the election.

“President Hassan Sheikh should not tell the Somali people that he spent money. Where did the money come from? Was it his personal money?” Laftagareen said.

However, opposition figures in South West State had previously rejected the election, describing it as lacking full legitimacy and characterizing it as a “self-extension of power.”

Meanwhile, former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo congratulated Laftagareen, stating that his election is important for political stability in South West State.

Farmaajo called on the new leadership to accelerate community reconciliation, liberate areas controlled by armed groups, and improve public services.

Similarly, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also congratulated the re-elected leadership and praised the newly sworn-in MPs, urging other administrations whose terms have expired to hold timely elections to avoid a political vacuum that could threaten national security.

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