Somalia: Deadly Clashes Erupt in Baidoa as Loyalists of Ousted Leader Battle Troops

Witnesses and security sources said the fighting erupted after armed supporters of former state president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen entered Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State.

Baidoa police chief Sadiq Dudishe accused the fighters of attempting to destabilise the city.

“Armed elements entered the city with the intention of creating instability and disorder,” he told a news conference, adding that security forces had repelled the attack and restored calm.

A military commander, Hussein Ali, said troops recovered the bodies of at least six attackers following the confrontation.

“We counted approximately six bodies of the attackers,” he said, describing them as “young men who were misled and exploited by politicians”.

Local resident Mohamud Ibrahim said civilians were also caught up in the violence.

“I saw the bodies of four combatants, and two civilians who were struck by stray bullets,” he told AFP by telephone.

According to witnesses, fighters loyal to Mr Laftagareen briefly seized control of parts of the city before withdrawing under pressure from government forces.

The clashes came as authorities prepared to swear in newly elected members of South West State’s legislature following elections held on 10 May.

Political dispute

The unrest follows the removal of Mr Laftagareen from office in March amid a wider political dispute over constitutional reforms introduced by Somalia’s federal government.

Mr Laftagareen had opposed amendments adopted earlier this year that extended the presidential term from four years to five and paved the way for universal suffrage in future elections.

The reforms represent a significant shift from Somalia’s long-standing indirect electoral system, under which lawmakers are selected through a process heavily influenced by clan leaders.

The changes have proved controversial, with critics arguing that key political stakeholders were not sufficiently consulted.

Uncertain political transition

The latest violence comes at a sensitive moment for Somalia’s political transition.

The mandate of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expired on 15 May without a political agreement on elections to choose his successor. The federal government has described the current situation as a “transition period” while efforts continue to establish a framework for future polls.

President Mohamud has pledged to steer Somalia towards a one-person, one-vote electoral system, replacing the clan-based model that has dominated the country’s politics for decades.

However, progress has been slow. Deep political divisions, rival clan interests and persistent insecurity have complicated attempts to organise nationwide elections.

Large parts of Somalia remain affected by the insurgency led by Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group linked to Al-Qaeda, which continues to carry out attacks across the country and controls territory in several regions.

Analysts say Saturday’s clashes underscore the fragility of Somalia’s political landscape and the challenges facing efforts to reform the country’s electoral system while maintaining stability.