Embattled S.West President Laftagareen Resigns as Federal Forces Take Control of Baidoa

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BAIDOA: South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has announced his resignation, marking a dramatic turning point in the escalating political and security crisis in the region.
In a brief statement issued on social media on Monday, Laftagareen said he had stepped down from office effective today, March 30, 2026, stating simply that he had “resigned from the position of President of the South West State.”
The announcement comes just hours after federal government forces moved into and took control of key installations in Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of the region, following weeks of mounting tensions between the regional leadership and the Federal Government of Somalia.
Residents reported increased troop presence across strategic parts of the town earlier in the day, with federal-aligned forces consolidating control over administrative and security facilities. The developments follow a prolonged political standoff that has seen the federal government openly challenge the legitimacy of the South West leadership.
The crisis has been building over recent weeks, with Mogadishu accusing the regional administration of undermining federal authority and, more recently, alleging links between elements of the South West leadership and extremist groups — claims that have further deepened the rift.
Unconfirmed reports emerging late Monday evening indicate that Laftagareen may have been flown out of Baidoa to a neighbouring country shortly after the federal takeover. The reports could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
Laftagareen’s resignation is likely to significantly shift the political landscape in South West State, potentially paving the way for a federally backed transitional arrangement or new leadership structure. However, it remains unclear what immediate governance framework will replace his administration.
There has been no immediate detailed statement from the federal government regarding the resignation, but today’s military developments suggest a coordinated effort to assert control over the region.
The situation in Baidoa remains fluid, with uncertainty over how local political actors, security forces, and residents will respond in the coming hours and days.