MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has pledged that the South West Darwish forces will receive rights equal to those of the national army following their successful reintegration, officials confirmed.
The process was overseen by the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, Mahad Mohamed Salad, and the Commander of the Somali Police Force, Gen. Asad Osman Abdullahi, alongside federal and regional leaders, after days of negotiations involving forces previously stationed in Awdiinle, approximately 30 kilometers west of Baidoa.
Government Commits to Equal Rights and Entitlements
At a meeting in Mogadishu, national security commanders urged the officers and troops of the South West Darwish forces to continue their dedicated service to the nation. They also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing all outstanding entitlements and ensuring they receive equal rights in line with the Somali National Armed Forces.
Commanders of the South West Darwish forces welcomed the government’s efforts, expressing their readiness to fulfill their national duties under the new arrangements.
The forces and their leadership have since been redeployed to Baidoa, returning to their previous bases.
Security Meeting in Baidoa
Following the reintegration, South West State Interim Leader Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi convened a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baidoa, bringing together security commanders operating across the region and directing them to intensify efforts to restore peace and stability.
The meeting was attended by NISA Director Mahad Mohamed Salad, Police Commander Gen. Asad Osman Abdullahi, South West State Minister of Security Mohamed Hussein Hassan, and the Mayor of Baidoa, Abdullahi Ali Watiin, alongside Darwish and police forces.
Participants agreed to urgently coordinate efforts to improve the overall security situation. The Interim Leader commended the progress made against Al-Shabaab militants and praised both national and regional forces for their continued sacrifices to ensure lasting peace and stability for the people of South West State.
Broader Integration Efforts
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the federal government to integrate regional and clan-based forces into unified national security structures, a key pillar of Somalia’s long-term stabilization strategy.
Recent political and security shifts in South West State, including changes in local leadership and increased federal involvement in Baidoa, have heightened the need for coordinated command and control of armed units. Integrating forces such as the Darwish units is critical to improving discipline, ensuring consistent pay and welfare, and strengthening joint operations against Al-Shabaab.
Analysts note that successful integration could help reduce fragmentation within Somalia’s security sector, while reinforcing efforts to build a cohesive national army capable of maintaining stability across the country.
Background: Forces Had Departed During Political Transition
According to local officials, the troops and their military vehicles had previously left Baidoa during a period of political changes and disagreements that followed the ousting of former South West President Abdiasis Laftagareen and the subsequent takeover of the administration by the Federal Government.
The South West Darwish forces, along with scores of combat vehicles, had established military bases in the Awdiinle settlement, flanked by officials and officers of the deposed president. The reintegration effort brought an end to their self-imposed exile.
Commitment to Reconciliation
The move comes at a time when the Federal Government and the South West Administration have pledged that there will be no revenge or targeting of specific individuals, and that efforts will focus on reconciliation, development, and shared, acceptable governance.
The reintegration follows allegations of violence during the federal takeover of Baidoa, with a former regional security official claiming that two civilians were killed and their bodies burned inside Speaker Madobe’s Baidoa home in what he described as a reprisal attack. The allegations remain independently unverified.
Previous Security Operations in South West State
The federal government has been steadily expanding its security presence in South West State. Speaker of the House of the People, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), arrived at the head of a federal delegation shortly after the federal takeover to oversee the region’s administrative transition and bolster stabilization initiatives.
The National Electoral Commission has scheduled parliamentary and district council elections for April 28 to legitimize the power transfer, with voting to employ a direct “one-person, one-vote” system.
Commitment to National Security
The successful reintegration of the South West Darwish forces represents a significant step toward unifying Somalia’s security architecture. The federal government has consistently emphasized that building a cohesive national army capable of maintaining stability across the country remains a top priority as Somalia continues its fight against Al-Shabaab and works toward long-term peace.
Officials have stated that the government remains committed to ensuring that all regional forces receive the same rights, benefits, and professional opportunities as their national counterparts, reinforcing efforts to build trust between local communities and the central government.
