New regional state formed in Eelbarde town

Traditional elders and politicians, who were dissatisfied with the selection of southwest MPs, have declared new regional state.

After days of intense meeting in Eelbarde town, delegates declared new regional state named Upper Bakool state with president and his deputy.

Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed was announced to be the first president of state as his deputy president will be Abdullahi Sahal Hussein.

This comes less than a month after regional lawmakers of Southwest State, who make up 89-member assembly were sworn in at the interim presidential palace in Baidoa city, with the presence of the south west state Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, traditional elders and ministers.