South West State’s Council of Ministers has officially designated forces loyal to former President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen as a terrorist group, accusing them of joining al-Shabab.
The decision was made Sunday during an extraordinary cabinet meeting chaired by South West State leader Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe.
The council discussed the security situation in the region, particularly attacks and explosions that struck Baidoa on Aug. 17.
The cabinet said about 10 explosions occurred in the city, including vehicle-borne explosives and mines carried by suicide bombers targeting military bases and other locations.
According to the cabinet statement, information provided by South West and federal government security agencies indicated links between al-Shabab and the militia led by Laftagareen.
“The South West government interpreted this as evidence that the two sides had formed an alliance and shared interests,” the statement said. “The South West government said in its statement that Abdiaziz and the militia he leads are now officially recognized as a terrorist group that has joined Al-Shabaab.”
The administration said the federal government and South West authorities would jointly deal with the group in the same way they handle terrorist organizations.
The decision comes as the political and security situation in Baidoa remains tense.
The Council of Ministers called on the federal government to increase security and military support for South West State and strengthen cooperation between federal and state intelligence and security agencies.
It also asked the federal government to take legal and security measures against anyone involved in or supporting actions the administration described as harmful to national security.
The designation comes days after Laftagareen strongly rejected federal government allegations linking forces loyal to him to al-Shabab.
In a statement issued Aug. 27, Laftagareen’s office warned that the accusations could endanger civilians and worsen political tensions.
His office also expressed concern over an African Union Commission memorandum dated Aug. 21 concerning a request submitted by Somalia’s federal government to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Laftagareen’s office said South West Darawish forces are legally established security forces mandated to protect civilians, public institutions, security and the constitutional order of South West State.
It warned against conflating Somalia’s internal political disputes with the fight against terrorism, saying disputes between the federal government and federal member states should be resolved through dialogue, constitutional processes and an inclusive political framework.
