Baidoa (PP News Desk) — South West State of Somalia is facing a serious political and institutional crisis, with reports indicating that governance and public order have nearly collapsed. Writing in Arlaadi, a news website, Mohamed Abdullahi Mursal, a former Minister of the Presidency of South West State of Somalia “constitutional vacuum has created both political and security chaos, leaving the entire South West region in a deeply fragile and precarious situation.“
The regional Parliament and Presidency are said to have exceeded their constitutional mandates. This situation has weakened security and increased uncertainty across the South West State.
The crisis has been made worse by ongoing drought, which has already caused significant hardship for local populations. Mursal has criticised the the leadership of South West State. He accused it of mismanagement and causing the political impasse.
The Federal Government of Somalia has distanced itself from accusations from South West State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen who alleged that the Federal Government of Somalia colluded with Al-Shabaab to undermine his administration.
Mursal has proposed arbitration by the Council of Traditional Elders, a body recognised under the South West State Constitution. Mursal argues that, under Articles 59 and 60, the Elders’ Council has the authority to act when formal institutions fail.
The elders would oversee the formation of a new parliament, which would then lead to the appointment of an electoral committee and, eventually, the election of a new president. This process is seen as a constitutional pathway to restore order if President Laftagareen agrees to arbitration by elders.
Meanwhile, the district administration of Xuddur, the administrative capital of Bakool, withdrew confidence from President Laftagareen whom it sees as “dictatorial and warmongering politician.”
© Puntland Post, 2026