Baidoa, Somalia — The Federal Government of Somalia has appointed a new interim leader for the Southwest Regional State, a move that has sparked both official support and strong opposition from political groups.
Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, the newly appointed interim president, arrived in Baidoa on Thursday alongside a high-level delegation. The group was received at Shati-Gudud airport by federal ministers, members of parliament, regional officials, and representatives from various sectors of society.
Government officials stated that the visit marks a step toward implementing an administrative framework intended to reflect the aspirations of residents in the Southwest State.
The appointment follows the removal of former Southwest President Abdi Aziz Hassan Mohamed Lafta-Gareen, who had held office for seven years. Authorities say the interim administration will oversee preparations for regional elections.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from opposition groups. The Somali Future Council—a coalition including political actors from Puntland, Jubbaland, and Mogadishu—has rejected the appointment.
In a statement, the council described the federal government’s action as “authoritarian” and warned that it undermines Somalia’s federal system. The group called for inclusive and transparent elections in the Southwest region, free from what it described as federal interference.
