Members of Somalia’s federal parliament representing the Jubaland and Southwest State administrations held a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, this afternoon, issuing a strongly worded statement on the country’s political and security situation.
The lawmakers focused on three main issues: Thursday’s airstrike in Doolow district, Gedo region; allegations against Southwest State forces; and the ongoing political tensions in Southwest State.
The MPs strongly condemned Thursday’s strike in Doolow, accusing the Turkish government of targeting General Mahad Abdirahman “Shubka,” who commands Southwest State forces fighting troops aligned with Speaker of Parliament Adan Madobe and the federal government.
“We urgently call on the Turkish government to stop the airstrikes it is carrying out in areas of Southwest Somalia,” the lawmakers said in their statement.
The statement was read by MP Hassan Abdinuur, a member of parliament representing Southwest State.
The lawmakers also directly accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Turkish government of being, in their words, the two biggest threats facing Somalia today.
“Therefore, if there is a danger today threatening Somalia’s security and politics, there is one threat: the president whose term has expired and the Turkish government,” the statement said.
The statement also expressed support for protests against Turkey’s presence and what the lawmakers described as Turkish interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.
“If Turkey does not stop its interference, it will face resistance greater than what it has encountered so far,” the Nairobi statement said.
Allegations of Links to Al-Shabaab
The lawmakers also rejected allegations against Southwest State forces led by President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, whom the federal government has previously accused of having links or cooperating with Al-Shabaab.
They said the allegations were baseless, pointing to heavy fighting in recent months in Baidoa and other parts of Southwest State.
The fighting has pitted Laftagareen-aligned Southwest State forces against troops supporting Adan Madobe and the federal government, which the lawmakers said were receiving support from Turkey.
The MPs also referred to protests against Turkey that have taken place in parts of Jubaland.
The fighting in Baidoa has resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, while political and security tensions remain high.
Elections and Extension of the Presidential Term
The lawmakers also said the public uprising and political mobilization taking place in Southwest State were part of broader efforts against any extension of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term. They called for democratic elections to be held in the country.
They urged the people of Southwest State and Somalia more broadly to support popular movements calling for inclusive and democratic elections.
The Nairobi press conference came days after what the lawmakers described as a Turkish drone carried out an airstrike in Doolow district, Gedo region, on Thursday.
The strike reportedly injured General Mahad Abdirahman, his wife and members of his security detail. Southwest State officials accused the Turkish government of being behind the attack, describing it as an attempted assassination targeting General Mahad.
General Mahad Abdirahman commands Southwest State forces fighting troops aligned with Adan Madobe and the federal government.