What Did Somalia’s PM Hamza Face in His Meeting with Laftagareen in Baidoa?

BAIDOA, Somalia, Sept 12 (GO) - Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, held a four-hour meeting with the President of Southwest State, Abdiaziz Laftagareen, in Baidoa, the interim capital of the region, according to sources on Tuesday.

While details of the discussions remain scarce, sources close to the Southwest State presidency informed Garowe Online that the talks largely centered on grievances raised by President Laftagareen regarding Villa Somalia. Specifically, concerns were voiced about the treatment of Southwest State parliamentarians currently in Mogadishu.

Prime Minister Hamza is expected to remain in Baidoa until tomorrow, with a welcoming ceremony reportedly planned for the evening.

The Prime Minister’s visit comes following instructions from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who tasked Hamza with mediating between the Federal Government and the Southwest State administration. This follows mounting pressure on President Mohamud from regional politicians supportive of the presence of Ethiopian troops in Southwest, who oppose the Federal Government’s recent military agreement with Egypt.

Prime Minister Hamza arrived at Baidoa’s airport accompanied by the Director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Security at the airport is being managed by Ethiopian forces.

GAROWE ONLINE