Somalia: Former South West Leader Rejects Al-Shabaab Links to Regional Forces

What the report says

Former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen has denied allegations that the region’s Darawish forces are linked to Al-Shabaab, according to a report published by Shabelle and distributed by AllAfrica. The statement was issued in Baidoa and comes amid ongoing political tension in Somalia over security and relations between the federal government and member states.

Laftagareen said the Darawish units were legally established to protect civilians, government institutions, public order and constitutional authority in South West State. He described the claims against the force as unfounded and warned that unverified accusations could endanger civilians and security personnel while also weakening trust in the African Union mission in Somalia, AUSSOM.

He urged the AU and AUSSOM to remain neutral in domestic disputes and to independently verify any security-related information before supporting military action. The statement also called for political disagreements to be settled through dialogue, constitutional processes and inclusive politics rather than force, saying that violence could deepen displacement and division.

South West State also praised the AU’s broader security role in Somalia, while warning that operations in and around Baidoa should avoid harming civilians. Laftagareen, who remains a prominent figure in the region, said he was willing to share information with international organizations and cooperate with an independent investigation. Background context: South West State is one of Somalia’s federal member states and Baidoa is its administrative center.