BAIDOA — Jibriil Abdirashid Haji Abdi, Interim Leader of the South West administration, has conducted an inspection tour of several key government ministries to assess their operational effectiveness and institutional performance.
The inspection covered the ministries of Security, Justice, Home Affairs, Health, Constitution, and Relief, representing a thorough examination of essential government departments responsible for public administration and service provision. The objective was to expedite government functions, increase transparency, and strengthen institutional accountability.
Mr. Abdi met with senior ministry personnel, obtaining comprehensive briefings on current initiatives, obstacles faced, and planned future developments. Ministry officials emphasized advancements achieved in their domains, while also identifying critical challenges that need addressing to enhance service delivery for the public.
Interim Leader Directs Officials to Prioritize Public Service
Addressing ministry heads, Mr. Jibriil Abdirashid Haji Abdi instructed officials to redouble their commitment to public service, placing particular focus on elevating service quality and maintaining administrative transparency. He emphasized the necessity of interdepartmental cooperation, asserting that improved coordination among government agencies is vital for sustainable progress and effective service delivery to South West residents.
The inspection tour follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s extensive visit to Baidoa aimed at solidifying political support and managing the precarious transition after the federal government’s military operation to seize control of the South West State capital [citation:3]. The president’s trip occurred shortly after Abdiasis Laftagareen stepped down as regional leader on March 29, fleeing to Kenya when heavily armed Somali National Army forces and allied clan militias overtook the city [citation:3].
Political Context and Federal Appointment
The inspection comes amid significant political transition in South West State following the federal government’s intervention in March 2026. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre officially appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister Jibriil Abdirashid as the interim head of South West State following the removal of former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) [citation:7]. The emergency appointment came just days after a sweeping federal military operation that was reportedly supported by Turkish drones [citation:7].
According to the official decree, Abdirashid will immediately assume the caretaker position for an undefined duration until a new, permanent regional president is officially elected [citation:8]. Beyond maintaining basic governance, his primary responsibilities include advancing concrete preparations for the implementation of universal, one-person, one-vote elections across the regional state [citation:8].
Security and Administrative Coordination
President Mohamud, alongside Interim Leader Abdi, recently co-chaired a massive, multi-agency security and administrative summit in Baidoa [citation:1]. The high-level gathering brought together the South West State Council of Ministers and the nation’s top security chiefs, including senior representatives from the Somali National Army, the Somali Police Force, and the National Intelligence and Security Agency [citation:1].
Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi recently conducted a high-level strategic tour of the Sector 3 headquarters of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in Baidoa [citation:9]. The Defence Minister held extensive meetings with Sector 3 Commander Brigadier General Teklu Hurisa Janka, receiving comprehensive updates regarding current tactical operations and the status of ongoing joint ground initiatives [citation:9].
Security Measures in Baidoa
The Somali Federal Government enacted a nighttime curfew in Baidoa, prohibiting civilians from carrying weapons in the city during evening hours [citation:2]. This decision followed heightened security measures implemented amid political tensions stemming from recent administrative changes in the South West State [citation:2].
Somali Police Commissioner Asad Osman Abdullahi directed immediate reinforcement of security throughout the city, convening a high-level strategic gathering with all police personnel deployed in Baidoa to update commanding officers on prevailing security conditions following profound political developments in the area [citation:2].
Allegations of Violence and Community Concerns
The federal takeover has not been without controversy. A former regional security official has alleged that two civilians belonging to the clan of ousted leader Laftagareen were killed and their bodies burned inside Speaker Madobe’s Baidoa home in what he described as a reprisal attack [citation:5]. These severe allegations currently remain independently unverified [citation:5].
Call for Unity and Cooperation
House of the People Speaker Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe) issued a strong call for unity and cooperation among the residents of South West State, emphasizing that broad public support is crucial for strengthening stability and governance in the region during this transition [citation:4]. Speaking upon his arrival at Shati Gaduud Airport in Baidoa, the speaker urged local communities to work closely with authorities to advance peace and regional development [citation:4].
Commitment to One-Person, One-Vote Elections
Federal authorities remain committed to implementing universal suffrage in South West State. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has declared that there will be no elections in Baidoa or across South West other than a one-person, one-vote process, warning opposition politicians who have expressed support for Laftagareen against attempting any alternative electoral framework [citation:2].
“We will not allow, in any way, disorder, revenge, clan-based discrimination or any trouble in Baidoa,” Prime Minister Hamza stated [citation:2].
Commitment to Service Delivery
These inspections are components of wider initiatives by the South West administration to improve institutional effectiveness and guarantee that government services align with citizen requirements and aspirations. Abdi has emphasized that effective governance is critical to restoring public trust, particularly in sectors such as security, health, and humanitarian response, where demand remains high.
An uneasy calm settled over Baidoa after the Federal Government assumed full administrative and security control of the city [citation:10]. Federal Government forces, heavily supported by allied local militias known as the “South West Salvation,” formally seized control of Baidoa through overwhelming military force, triggering a rapid and complete shift in the political landscape of the regional administration [citation:10].
The interim leader’s call for reforms reflects mounting pressure on Somalia’s regional administrations to deliver tangible services despite limited resources and persistent insecurity linked to the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
