BAIDOA, Somalia— A delegation from Somalia’s federal government arrived Tuesday in Baidoa, the interim capital of South West State, as authorities move to manage a rapidly shifting political situation in the region.
The delegation, which traveled from Mogadishu, is led by Speaker of the House of the People Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur, known as Madoobe. It includes lawmakers and cabinet ministers, among them Interior Minister Ali Hoosh and Religious Affairs Minister Mukhtar Robow, who was arrested in Baidoa seven years ago.
The visit is aimed at holding consultations on the political future of Southwest State, particularly the administration’s transitional phase.
Authorities plan to establish an interim administration pending elections that are expected to produce a new regional president and government.
The situation in Baidoa remained calm Tuesday after federal forces took full control of the city a day earlier following a military operation. Baidoa is the capital of the Bay region.
The takeover triggered swift political changes, including the resignation of Southwest State President Abdiaziz Laftagareen.
Before leaving for Kenya, Laftagareen appointed Southwest State Finance Minister Ahmed Mohamed Hussein as acting president.
