BAIDOA – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Baidoa, the interim capital of South West State, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the region’s new leadership, as a series of high-level federal delegations gather in the city for the historic event.
The President was received at Baidoa airport by South West State President Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe), the Speaker of the South West State Parliament, federal and state ministers, and representatives from various community groups. His arrival marks the start of a series of high-profile visits as the region prepares for the formal handover of power.
Security and logistical arrangements have been a key focus of the preparations, given the political sensitivities surrounding the transition.
Prime Minister and High-Level Delegations Arrive
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has also arrived in Baidoa at the head of a federal delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony. He was welcomed by President Madobe and other officials upon his arrival at the airport.
In addition, the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, arrived in Baidoa with a delegation of federal and regional officials to attend the ceremony. He was received by President Madobe, ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, and representatives of the South West State administration.
The Banadir Governor has been actively engaged in strengthening ties with the diaspora, and his presence in Baidoa underscores the importance of regional cooperation in Somalia’s federal system.
Parliamentary Leadership Joins the Gathering
Acting Speaker of the House of the People, Sadiya Yasin Haji Samatar, and First Deputy Speaker of the Upper House, Ali Shabaan Ibrahim, have also arrived in Baidoa with a delegation of parliamentarians. They were welcomed by President Madobe, federal and state ministers, parliamentarians, traditional elders, and community representatives.
The participation of the parliamentary leadership reflects the importance the federal government attaches to the inauguration of the new South West State administration.
President Mohamud has previously praised Madobe’s leadership as Speaker of the House of the People, noting that he played a major role in strengthening cooperation among state institutions and improving the legislature’s performance.
Inauguration Ceremony to Mark New Era for South West State
The inauguration ceremony, which is expected to take place in the coming days, marks the formal beginning of Madobe’s tenure as President of South West State following his landslide election victory on June 10, 2026.
Madobe secured 88 votes in the regional leadership election, while his sole challenger received one vote, with one ballot declared invalid. The handover ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Baidoa, where Madobe formally assumed office from interim leader Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi.
President Madobe has since led security meetings in Baidoa, approving new steps to strengthen security, including a ban on soldiers carrying weapons in the city without official uniforms and limits on military vehicle movements.
Way Forward
The gathering of federal leaders in Baidoa signals the federal government’s support for the new South West State administration and its commitment to strengthening federal-state relations. The inauguration ceremony is expected to be attended by a wide range of federal and regional officials, traditional leaders, and international partners, marking a significant moment in the political transition of one of Somalia’s key federal member states.
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