Region
South West State of Somalia: Baydhabo (Baidoa), history and leaders
South West State covers Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle, with Baydhabo (Baidoa) as its working capital. It was formed at a Baidoa conference in 2014. In March 2026 it cut ties with the federal government, federal forces then took Baidoa, and Adan Madoobe has led it since June 2026 with federal backing.
How it began
The idea is older than the state. In 2002 the Rahanweyn Resistance Army leader Hasan Muhammad Nur "Shatigadud" declared a South West State, which ended in 2005. In 2014 two plans competed: a six-region state and a three-region state. On 27 March 2014, 733 delegates in Baidoa backed the three-region plan of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle, and the state was set up in November 2014 after a further conference (South West State). Sources give different founding dates.
Land and people
Baraawe is the capital in law; Baidoa is the working capital and largest city. A 2022 estimate gave about 4.2 million people (South West State). Most people are Digil and Mirifle (Rahanweyn), alongside other clans and minorities; the Heritage Institute notes Digil concerns about being left out of power (Heritage Institute, Nov 2025).
Leaders
- Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, elected 17 November 2014
- Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed "Laftagareen", elected 19 December 2018
- Adan Madoobe, since 11 June 2026
The 2018 vote was postponed several times. On 13 December 2018 the candidate Mukhtar Robow was arrested, and at least 12 people were killed in Baidoa in the unrest that followed (South West State).
South West and the federal government
On 17 March 2026 the state cut ties with the federal government during the constitution dispute. Federal forces took Baidoa on 30 March 2026 and the regional leader resigned (South West State). Adan Madoobe took office on 11 June 2026, but the former leader's side still holds towns in Bay and fighting continues (Kaab TV).
Where this state fits
Article 1 of the 2012 provisional constitution says "Somalia is a federal state". The idea runs through every major peace text from Cairo in 1997 onward, and the 2004 Mbagathi conference adopted it (Heritage Institute). Two or more regions may join to form a member state. Each state has its own leader, parliament and constitution, and works with the federal government in Mogadishu. See the overview page on how the federal system works.
Sources
- South West State · en.wikipedia.org
- Heritage Institute, Nov 2025 · heritageinstitute.org
- Kaab TV · en.kaabtv.com
- Heritage Institute · heritageinstitute.org
Gathered in our research record “Somalia's political landscape, 2012 to 2026”. Wikipedia is used only as a backup.
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