Southwest lawmakers to elect regional President amid tight security in Baidoa

Southwest State lawmakers are expected to elect the region’s next president Wednesday in Baidoa, where authorities have imposed a curfew and tightened security ahead of the vote. The election is being closely watched because its outcome could shape Southwest State’s political direction and its relationship with the Federal Government of Somalia. Two candidates who had raised concerns about the electoral process, former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Abdiasis Mohamed Jawaari, addressed the regional House of Representatives on Tuesday night and presented their political platforms. It was not immediately clear whether their complaints over the electoral process had been resolved. The candidates had earlier accused election officials of failing to adequately protect ballot secrecy and raised concerns that some lawmakers could be pressured to reveal whom they supported. Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, is also among the front-runners in the race. He is widely viewed as the candidate backed by the federal government, though federal officials have not publicly confirmed such support. Madobe remains speaker of the federal lower house, and there has been no official announcement that he has resigned from the position. The Somali Police Command said a daily curfew would be enforced in Baidoa during the election period. Security forces have been instructed to strengthen security and prevent any incidents that could trigger unrest. Police said emergency services would continue operating during the curfew to assist the sick and pregnant women needing medical care. Security forces were also ordered not to fire celebratory gunshots after the results are announced. Authorities urged the public to report any information about potential threats or insecurity. The vote comes amid heightened political tension in SouthWest State, where rival candidates and federal influence have become central issues in the race.