Somalia: Laftagareen says he remains legitimate Southwest State president, vows return after May 15

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The ousted South West state leader Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen said for the first time since late March that he still considers himself the legitimate president of the regional administration and plans to return to the region later this month.

Speaking after weeks of silence, Laftagareen said he would go back to the Southwest areas 13 days after the end of the current term of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, adding that he would resume his role despite ongoing political tensions.

“If May 15 is reached, South West will not follow what I describe as President Hassan Sheikh’s plan,” Laftagareen said. “As you know, I am the lawful president of South West, duly elected. I was re-elected on March 28, and that is why I remain president.”

Laftagareen also denied issuing a resignation letter circulated in his name, saying it was fabricated under pressure and that stepping aside had been linked to efforts to protect his life and that of his father-in-law, Gen. Mahad Abdirahman, the former Somali prisons chief.

He described his departure from Baidoa as the result of what he called two months of intense military pressure, accusing federal forces of launching a “full-scale offensive” involving financial resources, armored vehicles, and aircraft.

According to Laftagareen, federal troops entered Baidoa through an unexpected route after aerial surveillance identified South West defensive positions, allowing forces to bypass front lines and advance via the Abu Cashara area near the city.

He said he ordered his forces not to fight to avoid civilian casualties in Baidoa, which he said has a population of more than one million people.

Laftagareen further accused Villa Somalia, the seat of the federal government, of applying significant pressure, saying, “The target was not me, but South West.”

He called on residents of the SouthWest to remain patient, expressing confidence that “better days are coming” and signaling what he described as the start of a new political struggle.

GAROWE ONLINE