George Conway, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, urged all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint, halt hostilities and take urgent measures to protect civilians.

He warned that continued clashes could further disrupt access to food, healthcare, shelter and other essential services for communities already struggling with displacement and food shortages.

Conway highlighted the heightened risks facing women, children, older people, persons with disabilities and internally displaced families.

Many of these groups face overlapping challenges, including insecurity, inadequate shelter, limited access to medical care and difficulties obtaining sufficient food and clean water.

He also stressed the need to protect civilian infrastructure and ensure humanitarian organisations can safely reach people in need.

Insecurity and restrictions on humanitarian access can prevent aid agencies from delivering food, medicines and emergency assistance to affected communities.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, reported that at least three people were killed and 69 injured during fighting on September 28.

The wounded were taken to Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa, including five children, highlighting the impact of the violence on civilians.

MSF also reported damage to a health facility and the theft of an ambulance during the clashes. Such incidents can severely hamper emergency medical responses, making it harder to transport injured people to hospitals and provide timely treatment.

The protection of healthcare facilities, medical personnel and emergency vehicles is essential during armed conflict.

International humanitarian law provides protections for civilians and medical services and prohibits attacks on medical facilities entitled to protection under the law.

The UN has also warned that food insecurity in Baidoa could deteriorate sharply. An estimated 26,000 internally displaced people are at risk of catastrophic hunger between October and December, according to the warning cited in the report.

Displaced families are particularly vulnerable because many have lost their homes, livelihoods and reliable sources of food.

With numerous households dependent on humanitarian assistance, continued fighting could make it even more difficult for aid agencies to reach those requiring urgent support.

The humanitarian outlook is further complicated by the possibility of flooding and additional conflict.

Flooding can damage farmland, roads and livelihoods, while renewed violence may trigger further displacement, disrupt trade and reduce access to food and basic services.

If these pressures occur simultaneously, families already facing food shortages could experience even more severe hardship.

Humanitarian agencies have therefore stressed the importance of providing emergency food assistance, clean water, shelter and medical services to those most at risk.

The clashes in Baidoa are linked to a wider political and military dispute involving Somalia’s federal government, the South West State administration and supporters of its former president, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

The dispute centres on political competition and disagreements over the administration and future direction of South West State.

Repeated tensions have undermined security in Baidoa and surrounding areas, leaving residents uncertain about both their immediate safety and the region’s political future.

Although the parties hold competing positions on governance and the distribution of political power, the consequences of the fighting extend far beyond the political dispute.

Civilian casualties, displacement and interruptions to public services are placing additional pressure on families already facing difficult living conditions.

A lasting solution will require meaningful political dialogue and a willingness by the parties to avoid actions that could intensify the conflict. An end to the fighting would also help humanitarian organisations deliver assistance more safely and consistently.

Conway’s appeal comes amid broader concerns over Somalia’s humanitarian situation, where conflict, displacement and food insecurity continue to threaten vulnerable communities.

The situation in Baidoa illustrates how political and military confrontations can compound existing humanitarian emergencies.

The UN and humanitarian organisations are calling on all parties to protect civilians, safeguard medical facilities and other civilian infrastructure, and allow aid workers to carry out their duties safely.

Stopping the violence and ensuring unhindered humanitarian access are critical to preventing further suffering.

For Baidoa’s affected residents, the immediate priorities remain an end to hostilities, protection from harm and timely access to food, healthcare, shelter and other life-saving assistance.

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In a statement issued by the British Embassy in Mogadishu, the UK said it was concerned about the latest violence in Baidoa and its impact on civilians.

“The UK is concerned about the renewed fighting in Baidoa and its impact on civilians. We call on all sides to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and resolve their differences through dialogue,” the embassy said.

The appeal comes amid renewed clashes in Baidoa involving forces aligned with the Federal Government, Southwest State authorities and forces loyal to Laftagareen.

The fighting has raised concerns about civilian safety and the potential for further displacement.

The UK also warned that the humanitarian situation in Southwest State could deteriorate further as communities face additional risks associated with the upcoming autumn rainy season.

Parts of the region are considered vulnerable to flooding, potentially compounding the effects of conflict on already affected communities.

The British government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of political dialogue and stability in Somalia, alongside its support for the country’s security and state-building efforts.

The UK maintains that political and community-based violence can further undermine security and humanitarian conditions in Somalia.

The latest appeal places renewed emphasis on dialogue between the Somali political actors involved in the Baidoa dispute, as concerns grow over the consequences of continued armed confrontation for civilians and humanitarian access.

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On Tuesday, 31 March, a group of 20 journalists from local and regional media were blocked and denied access to the presidential palace, Baidoa, following the arrival of Aden Mohamed Nur, also known as Sheikh Aden Madobe, Speaker of the Somali Lower House of Parliament. Journalists told SJS that security guards attached to Speaker Madobe prevented them from entering the palace and covering ongoing meetings. This occurred a day after the South West State leadership, including President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, left the city for Nairobi, Kenya, as the city was taken over by federal forces and allied clan militias.

Journalists who initially went to Shaati Gaduud Airport in Baidoa said they were able to capture videos and photos of Speaker Aden Madobe’s arrival but were denied access to the palace by security guards without explanation, effectively blocking the media from obtaining information crucial for their reporting.

Journalists also reported worrying developments, including incidents of gunfire in the city and the alleged killings by gunmen in what some described as clan-related revenge. There were also reports of looting in certain areas of the city by militias, according to journalists and NGOs in Baidoa.

SJS interviewed two journalists who previously worked in Baidoa; they said they left the city due to fear of retaliation linked to their clan identity.

On Monday, 30 March, Baidoa fell to Somali federal government forces and allied clan militias after days of violent clashes on the city outskirts. Local NGO representatives told SJS that mass displacement occurred before and during the clashes, though some residents have begun returning. On 1 April, the Prime Minister of the Somali Federal Government, Hamsa Abdi Barre, issued a decree appointing his deputy, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, as “Acting Leader” of the South West State.

On Thursday, 2 April, media reported a brief gunfight erupted at the Baidoa municipal office, where a clan militia and its commander reportedly captured the facility, prompting another group of militias to attack. Journalists nearby told SJS that several people were killed and injured, causing fear in the local community.

On the morning of Friday, 3 April, a group of 10 journalists were again denied access to Shaati Gaduud Airport, where clan elders from the Digil and Mirifle clans were arriving. Two journalists affected told SJS that, upon arrival at the airport entrance, heavily armed officers from the Gaashaan Force—a unit now attached to Somali National Intelligence and the Office of the President—threatened them at gunpoint and instructed them to leave. “No journalist is allowed to enter the airport,” one reporter told SJS.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was also reported to have arrived in Baidoa on Friday.

SJS calls on Somali government forces and allied militias in Baidoa, South West State, to allow journalists to report independently on developments in the city—including political and security matters—following the recent change in administration, and to immediately cease threats and denial of access that target independent journalists, many of whom work for local media, as they strive to keep the public informed about events in the region.

“We express deep concern over these incidents. We call for all actors involved in the political and security developments in Baidoa to ensure unhindered access for journalists and the media community,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“Journalists often risk their lives to keep the public informed, and it is unacceptable that their work continues to be obstructed and their access denied, especially during events of significant public interest,” added Mr. Mumin.

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