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The South-West State of Somalia ( so, Goboleedka Koonfur Galbeed ee Soomaaliya,
Maay Maay Mai-Mai, commonly spelled Maay Maay (also known as ''Af-Maay'', ''Af-Maymay'', or simply ''Maay''; the ''Mai-Mai'' spelling is rarely used but it is most often spoken), is a dialect of the Somali language, Somali language of the Cushitic languag ...
: ''Koofur Orsi''), is a Federal Member State in southwestern
Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...
. It was founded by
Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud Colonel Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud ( so, Xasan Maxamed Nuur Shaatigaduud; ar, حسن محمد نور شاتيغادود) (1946–2013) was a Somali politician and faction leader. He served as the chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA ...
, leader of the
Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...
RRA on 1 April 2002. It was the third autonomous region to be established. After its dissolution in 2005, the territory was re-established in November 2009 as an official federal member state of Somalia.
Abdiaziz Laftagareen Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) ( so, Cabdicasiis Xasan Maxamed) is the fourth president of the South West State of Somalia who was elected by the people of South West state elected in 19 Dec 2018 by the federal member of parliaments. I ...
was selected the president of this state. The official capital of South-West state is
Barawa Barawa ( so, Baraawe, Maay Maay, Maay: ''Barawy'', ar, ﺑﺮﺍﻭة ''Barāwa''), also known as Barawe and Brava, is the capital city, capital of the South West State of Somalia, South West State of Somalia.Pelizzari, Elisa. "Guerre civile et ...
, located on the coast of the Somali Sea, though the state administration is currently based in
Baidoa Baidoa (, Somali: Maay.html"_;"title="f-Maxaa:_Baydhabo,_Maay">f-Maxaa:_Baydhabo,_Maay:_''Baydhowy)''_is_the_largest_city_of_the_South_West_State_of_Somalia. Between_2002_and_2014,_Baidoa_was_the_capital_of_the_South_West_State_of_Somalia.html ...
.


Location and name

The South West state is bordered to the north by
Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...
, to the west by
Jubbaland Jubaland ( so, Jubbaland, ar, , it, Oltregiuba), the Juba Valley ( so, Dooxada Jubba) or Azania ( so, Asaaniya, ar, ), is a Federal Member State in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo t ...
, to the east by
Hirshabelle Hirshabelle, officially Hirshabelle State of Somalia ( Somali: ''Dowlad Goboleedka Hirshabelle ee Soomaaliya''), is a Federal Member State in south-central Somalia. It is bordered by Galmudug state of Somalia to the north, South West State ...
, and to the south by the Somali Sea. To the southeast, it is also bordered by
Banaadir Banaadir ( so, Banaadir, ar, بنادر, it, Benadir) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southeastern Somalia. It covers the same area as the city of Mogadishu, which serves as the capital. It is bordered to the northwest by the Shabel ...
, whose administrative status was unclear during the 2010s. During its development phase, the regional state of was called the Interim South West Administration. Its full name was the South West State of Somalia and, in Somali, ''Maamul Goboleedka Koonfur Galbeed''. In the local Maay Maay language it is referred to as ''Koofur Orsi''. An individual from Koofur Orsi is called a Koofur Orsian.Pelizzari, Elisa. "Guerre civile et question de genre en Somalie. Les événements et leurs retombées sur le destin d’une femme: Starlin Abdi Arush (1957-2002)," ''Cahiers du Genre'' 1 (2018): 193-213.


History


Background

During the pre-independence period, when the ''Koofur Orsi'' or ''Koonfur-Galbeed'' region was administered by the United Nations Trusteeship, the majority segment population of ''Digil and Mirifle'' were the only major Somali demographic whose political groups and spokesmen voiced apprehension about a centralized unitary republic. Many of these spokesmen voiced a preference for some form of confederalism or federalism. Several decades after independence, opposition to Siad Barre's ''Hantiwadaag'' (socialist) government grew. When in 1990 the three major opposition factions of SPM, USC, and SNM met in Ethiopia and put forth an informal accord in favor of federalism, many civil servants from the ''Konfuur-Galbeed'' region argued that, in retrospect, the predecessors in their region were correct. In 1992, the blockage of aid supplies from the coast to the ''Konfuur-Galbeed'' region meant that many viewed the
famine A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including war, natural disasters, crop failure, Demographic trap, population imbalance, widespread poverty, an Financial crisis, economic catastrophe or government policies. Th ...
as man-made. This increased support for federalism. One form of criticism that was levelled at the ''Konfuur-Galbeed'' administration during its early development is that some of its functional facets hearkened back to the negative aspects of the era of the historically conterminous Geledi. The latter's tributary status was believed to inculcate subordinacy rather than self-sufficiency, an administration that was oligarchical rather than egalitarian, and too much contrast with the historically British Jubaland to its west and south.


Contemporary

The territory known as the Southwestern State of Somalia (Somali: ''Dowlad Goboleedka Koonfur-Galbeed ee Soomaaliya''), or locally Koofur Orsi, was originally intended to consist of six Somali administrative regions: '' gobollo''):
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
,
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
,
Middle Jubba Middle Juba ( so, Jubbada Dhexe, Maay: ''Jubithy Dhahy'', ar, جوبا الأوسط, it, Medio Giuba) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. With its capital at Bu'aale, it is located in the autonomous Jubaland region. ...
(''Jubbada Dhexe''),
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
(''Shabeellada Hoose''),
Gedo Gedo ( so, Gedo, Maay: ''Gethy'', ar, جيذو, it, Ghedo or ''Ghedu'') is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in Jubaland, southern Somalia. Its regional capital is Garbahaarreey. It was created in 1974 and is bordered by the Ogaden in E ...
and
Lower Jubba Lower Juba ( so, Jubbada Hoose, Maay: ''Jubithy Hoosy'', ar, جوبا السفلى, it, Basso Giuba) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. With its capital at Kismayo, it lies in the autonomous Jubaland region. It has gre ...
(''Jubbada Hoose''). The establishment of the autonomous state was intended to express the disaffection of the Somalia State with the nascent
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
-based
Transitional National Government The Transitional National Government (TNG) was the internationally recognized central government of Somalia from 2000 to 2004. Overview The TNG was established in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Arta, Djibouti. ...
. It was also intended to counter the influence of the
Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council The Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) was a political movement and paramilitary organization based in southern Somalia. It was founded in 2001 by Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid, son of the late faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid ...
in the same regions. In 2005, the state was dissolved after its leader Shatigadud had joined the
Transitional Federal Parliament The Transitional Federal Parliament of the Somali Republic (TFP) ( so, Golaha Shacabka Federaalka Kumeelgaarka ee Jamhuuriyada Soomaaliya; often ''Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya'') was the national parliament of Somalia from 2004 until 2012. ...
in November 2004. He became Minister of Finance in January 2005 in the
Transitional Federal Government The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) ( so, Dowladda Federaalka Kumeelgaarka, ar, الحكومة الاتحادية الانتقالية) was internationally recognized as a provisional government of the Republic of Somalia from 14 October ...
, successor to the Transitional National Government. The coast of Koofur Orsi is primarily settled by
Biimaal Overview The Biimaal or Bimal, is a sub-clan of the major Dir clan family. This clan is widely known for leading a resistance against the colonials in southern Somalia for decades which can be compared to the war of the Sayyid in Somaliland. Th ...
clan, but also the Barwani, other coastal Banadiri communities, and the
Sheekhaal The Sheekhaal (var. Sheikhaal ( ar, شيخال), also known as Fiqi Omar, is a Somali clan. They inhabit Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and with considerable numbers also found in the North Eastern Province (Kenya), Northern Frontier District (NFD ...
. The interior and the bulk of Koofur Orsi are populated mainly by the
Rahanweyn The Rahanweyn (Maay: ''Reewin or Roowing'', Northern Somali: ''Raxanweyn'', ar, رحنوين), also known as the Digil and Mirifle () are a Somali clan. It is one of the major Somali clans in the Horn of Africa, with a large territory and dense ...
clan, who are located between the Hawiye to the east in Hirshabelle, and the
Marehan The Marehan ( so, Mareexaan, ar, مريحان) is a Somali sub-clan, which is part of one of the largest Somali clan families, the Darod. The clan is one of the largest constituent sub-clans of the Darod. The majority of the Marehan live in the ...
and other Darod clans to the west in Jubaland.


Politics


Conventions

In December 2013, a convention began in
Baidoa Baidoa (, Somali: Maay.html"_;"title="f-Maxaa:_Baydhabo,_Maay">f-Maxaa:_Baydhabo,_Maay:_''Baydhowy)''_is_the_largest_city_of_the_South_West_State_of_Somalia. Between_2002_and_2014,_Baidoa_was_the_capital_of_the_South_West_State_of_Somalia.html ...
between
Federal Government A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism). In a federation, the self-governin ...
officials and local representatives with the aim of establishing an
autonomous state An autonomous administrative division (also referred to as an autonomous area, entity, unit, region, subdivision, or territory) is a subnational administrative division or internal territory of a sovereign state that has a degree of autonomy— ...
in the area under the Provision Federal Constitution. Two simultaneous political processes for the establishment of a new Southwestern State of Somalia were underway: one led by former Parliament Speaker
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan ( so, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, ar, شريف حسن الشيخ آدم; is a Somali politician. He is a former Minister of Finance of Somalia, and the last Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). Career ...
, which proposed a three-region state consisting of the
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
,
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
and
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
provinces; another led by traditional elders of Digil Mirifle, which proposed instead the re-establishment of a six-region Southwestern Somalia state consisting of the
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
,
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
and
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
, Gedo, Middle Jubba and Lower Jubba provinces.


Presidency

On 3 March 2014, Madoobe Nuunow was elected president by supporters of the six-region state proposal. Internal and Federal Affairs Minister
Abdullahi Godah Barre Abdullahi Godah Barre is a Somali politician and member of parliament . He is the Minister of Education and Higher Education of Somalia, having been appointed to the position on 17 January 2017 by Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. Godah Barre ...
indicated that the Somali federal government would not recognize the six-region convention outcome, as it contravenes an earlier Jubba agreement signed in
Addis Ababa Addis Ababa (; am, አዲስ አበባ, , new flower ; also known as , lit. "natural spring" in Oromo), is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. It is also served as major administrative center of the Oromia Region. In the 2007 census, t ...
between the Somali federal authorities and the autonomous
Jubbaland Jubaland ( so, Jubbaland, ar, , it, Oltregiuba), the Juba Valley ( so, Dooxada Jubba) or Azania ( so, Asaaniya, ar, ), is a Federal Member State in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo t ...
administration in southwestern Somalia. The Jubba agreement stipulates that Jubaland's constituent provinces are instead to be administered by the Jubaland regional authorities. Addressing the 425th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on 25 March 2014, UN Special Representative for Somalia
Nicholas Kay Sir Nicholas Peter Kay (born 8 March 1958) is a British diplomat. He has served as the British ambassador to Afghanistan, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From 2013 to 2016 he was the United Nations Special Representative for Som ...
similarly indicated that he would continue to work closely with the AU, EU and IGAD to support a Somali federal government-led three-region state formation process for the southwestern provinces. On 27 March 2014, 733 delegates in
Baidoa Baidoa (, Somali: Maay.html"_;"title="f-Maxaa:_Baydhabo,_Maay">f-Maxaa:_Baydhabo,_Maay:_''Baydhowy)''_is_the_largest_city_of_the_South_West_State_of_Somalia. Between_2002_and_2014,_Baidoa_was_the_capital_of_the_South_West_State_of_Somalia.html ...
representing the
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
,
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
and
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
regions elected Mohamed Haji Abdinur as president of the Southwestern State of Somalia. Abdinur is a veteran politician and a close ally of former Parliament Speaker
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan ( so, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, ar, شريف حسن الشيخ آدم; is a Somali politician. He is a former Minister of Finance of Somalia, and the last Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). Career ...
. Of the representatives that took part in the three-region state elections, 723 voted in favor of Abdinur while 10 abstained. On 30 March 2014, the President of Somalia
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ( so, Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud, ar, حسن شيخ محمود; born 29 November 1955) is a Somali politician who has served as the president of Somalia since May 2022. He is the founder and current chairman of the Union for P ...
visited Baidoa to defuse political tension between the two competing Southwestern State delegations. The autonomous
Puntland Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
regional administration in northeastern Somalia issued a statement the following day congratulating Abdinur on his election as president of the Southwestern State. The Puntland State House also expressed support for the three-region state process in Baidoa and indicated that the Puntland authorities were prepared to provide technical and experience-related assistance to the nascent federal state.


Allotment

On 22 June 2014, the federal government concluded its mediation between the supporters of the parallel three-region and six-region processes for a new Southwestern State of Somalia. Wings from both sides had reportedly reached an agreement on the prospective regional state's formation. On 23 June 2014, the office of Federal Parliament Speaker
Mohamed Osman Jawari Mohamed Osman Jawari ( so, Maxamed Cismaan Jawaari, ar, محمد عثمان جواري) (born December 7, 1945 in Afgoi, Somalia), also known as Mohamed Jawari or Osman Jawari, is a Somali attorney and politician. He is former Speaker of the Fede ...
hosted an event announcing the merger of the two competing administrations into a single three-region state, which is to be composed of the
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
,
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
and
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
provinces.


Koofur Galbeed administration


Establishment

On 23 June 2014, President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister
Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed ( so, Cabdiweli Sheekh Axmed, ar, عبدالولي الشيخ أحمد; born 1959), also known as Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammad, is a Somali economist and politician. He previously worked in the Somali military governmen ...
, and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari oversaw a ceremony in
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
marking the merger of the two competing administrations into a single three-region state, which is to be composed of the
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
,
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
and
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
provinces. The pact stipulates that the new polity will be led by an Interim South West Administration consisting of representatives from both sides. According to an official press communique, the opposing sides are slated to form a thirteen-member technical committee, appointing five members apiece to the body alongside three members selected by the Federal Government. The panel is then within ten days scheduled to prepare a roadmap for the interim administration's formation. Additionally, the Federal Government is to facilitate consultations between the Interim South West Administration and Jubaland over mutual concerns and interests. The UN Special Representative for Somalia
Nicholas Kay Sir Nicholas Peter Kay (born 8 March 1958) is a British diplomat. He has served as the British ambassador to Afghanistan, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From 2013 to 2016 he was the United Nations Special Representative for Som ...
, the UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-Moon Ban Ki-moon (; ; born 13 June 1944) is a South Korean politician and diplomat who served as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations between 2007 and 2016. Prior to his appointment as secretary-general, Ban was his country's Minister ...
, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Mission Commission for Somalia
Mahamat Saleh Annadif Mahamat Saleh Annadif (born December 25, 1956)''The International Who's Who 2004'', Routledge, page 53. is a Chadian diplomat who has been serving as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Af ...
, and the U.S. Special Representative for Somalia
James P. McAnulty James P. McAnulty (sometimes McNulty) is an American diplomat who served as the U.S. Envoy to Somalia. After the U.S. officially recognized the government of Somalia and reopened its Mission there in 2013 after some 22 years, it continued to be re ...
all welcomed the Southwestern State of Somalia agreement, commended the principals on their constructive consultations, acknowledged the Federal Government's key role in facilitating the talks, and pledged to continue supporting the local post-conflict reconstruction process. On 25 June 2014, the federal
cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filing ...
unanimously approved the signed accord. On 16 July 2014, the establishment of the Technical Committee on Formation of Interim South West Administration was announced and endorsed at a formal ceremony in Mogadishu. The panel is to be supported by a group of federal ministers under the authority of the Prime Minister. In September 2014, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari and UN Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay visited Baidoa to finalize talks over the South West state's formation. Jawari subsequently announced that a reconciliation conference would be held in the city on 14 September to unify the competing three-region and six-region local administrations. Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed opened the summit, which was attended by Lower Shabelle, Bay and Bakool provincial representatives, clan elders and politicians. In October 2014, President Mohamud opened a state formation conference in Baidoa for the three-region Southwestern State of Somalia. The UN-financed summit was attended by 380 delegates from the state's constituent Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle provinces, as well as UN Envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay, IGAD Envoy to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey, and the Ambassador of Denmark to Somalia, among other officials. On 7 November 2014, the Southwestern State of Somalia was established, following the conclusion of the two-week Baidoa conference. The delegates from the new regional state's constituent Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle provinces unanimously agreed to make
Barawe Barawa ( so, Baraawe, Maay: ''Barawy'', ar, ﺑﺮﺍﻭة ''Barāwa''), also known as Barawe and Brava, is the capital of the South West State of Somalia.Pelizzari, Elisa. "Guerre civile et question de genre en Somalie. Les événements et l ...
its capital. They also approved a new regional state constitution. On 17 November 2014, former Parliament Speaker
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan ( so, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, ar, شريف حسن الشيخ آدم; is a Somali politician. He is a former Minister of Finance of Somalia, and the last Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). Career ...
was elected President of the three-region Southwestern State of Somalia. On 17 December 2014, the six-region South West Somalia administration joined the finalized three-region South West Somalia administration. The merger came after a power-sharing agreement signed in Baidoa between both sides, which stipulates that the South West Somalia six-region's leadership will be granted the new federal state's vice president and parliament speaker positions. On 30 December 2014, South West State President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and
Jubaland Jubaland ( so, Jubbaland, ar, , it, Oltregiuba), the Juba Valley ( so, Dooxada Jubba) or Azania ( so, Asaaniya, ar, ), is a Federal Member State in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo t ...
President
Ahmed Mohamed Islam Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islaam Madobe ( so, Sheekh Axmed Maxamed Madoobe) is the President of the Jubaland State of Somalia. Background Islamic Courts Union As a member of Islamic Courts Union (ICU) Madobe was governor of Jubaland, in 2006. When ...
(Madobe) signed a four-point Memorandum of Understanding on federalization, security, the 2016 general elections, trade, and the constitution. The bilateral accord was signed in the presence of representatives from the two regional states, including politicians, traditional leaders and civil society activists. Among the clauses of the accord were equitable allocation of international assistance by the federal authorities, agreeing on pre-civil war boundaries and regional demarcations established by the military government, and recommending that the federal authorities both delegate powers to regional bodies and adopt a No Objection Policy. Additionally, the memorandum stipulates that the two regional states will form a security committee consisting of representatives from both administrations, which will facilitate launching joint counterinsurgency operations, extradition, and expertise and intelligence sharing. The two administrations also proposed the creation of an interstate commission to liaise between the federal government and constituent regional states. They likewise indicated that their respective Chambers of Commerce would buttress commercial exchanges and cross-border trade.


Elections

As a part of the continuing federalization processes of Somalia and fostering local democracy, the South West State has planned to have own presidential elections on 17 November 2018. It is first time the people of Southwestern State to have the opportunity to elect their leader. The election is an expression of the political will of the Somali people in the state. The incumbent president is determined to cling to power but there was growing opposition against him. Where the Federal Government of Somalia wanted their handpicked candidate to win the election at any cost. Over 10 independents candidates have created Council of Change, umbrella uniting all candidates except the incumbent and the Government sponsored candidate. However, the election process was tainted and hindered by politically motivated actions of both the Federal Government of Somalia and the interim SW administration. The following events have thrown the Southwestern State election into disarray: # The increasing tension between Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States has adversely affected the election process. # The Federal Government's ill-advised action targeting Sheikh Mukhtar Robow with the intention to eliminate him from the electoral process. # Prolonged delays in forming the election committee. # Twin bombing on 13 October in Baidoa targeting venues affiliated with two independent candidates which as many as 30 people was killed. # The resignation of 15 members of the election committee including the chairman, his deputy and secretariat citing deep dismay over interference by the Federal Government of Somalia in the process. # The absence of election ant-corruption committee despite asking ISWA several occasions. # Abrupt resignation of the President of the South West State
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan ( so, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, ar, شريف حسن الشيخ آدم; is a Somali politician. He is a former Minister of Finance of Somalia, and the last Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). Career ...
and his decision not to run for the presidential seat, succumbing pressure from the Federal Government of Somalia. The elections, which were initially slated for 17 November was postponed to 28 November. It was then pushed further back to 5 December and once again it has been postponed to 19 December becoming the 4th time. Mukhtar Robow was officially cleared by the South West State Electoral Commission to contest in the December elections despite early protest by the Federal government seeking to have him barred. The Coalition for Change, which has thrown its weight behind Mukhtar Robow, issued a statement after the polls were postponed. The group said it fears the government is planning to rig because the new date is not favourable for international observers as most of them will then have left Somalia for the end of the year festivities. Some 150 elite Somali forces, armed to the tooth with some really heavy calibre machine guns, were deployed to Baidoa to physically block Robow from accessing the election venue. On 7 Nov 2018 The United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) warned of presidential election in Somalia's South West State have the potential to lead to violence and called on all parties to ensure that the electoral process proceeds in accordance with the established rules and avoids any behaviour which may lead to conflict or undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Mukhtar Robow was arrested by African Union peacekeepers from Ethiopia on Thursday 13 December and flown to Mogadishu under tight security. At least 12 people were killed in Baidoa in violence that erupted following Robow's arrest. Among those killed was a member of the regional parliament. The victims were shot by AMISOM Ethiopian forces and Somali Special Forces flown from Mogadishu. Somali lawmakers have written a protest letter to the AU Commission in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian government and the UN complaining about the conduct of AMISOM. His arrest also prompted the resignation of Somalia's Public Works Minister Abdifatah Mohamed Gesey, who hails from Baidoa and is from the same Leysan sub-clan as Robow, to resign in protest.
Abdiaziz Laftagareen Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) ( so, Cabdicasiis Xasan Maxamed) is the fourth president of the South West State of Somalia who was elected by the people of South West state elected in 19 Dec 2018 by the federal member of parliaments. I ...
was on 19 December 2018, elected President of South West State in an arranged sham election that was predetermined and rigged in his favour. The Ethiopian contingent of the African peacekeepers provided security during the voting. It was alleged approximately $15 million to $20 million of Qatar funding was spent on this sham process. On 1 January 2019 Somalia declared the UN's chief diplomat, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General,
Nicholas Haysom Nicholas Roland Leybourne "Fink" Haysom (born 21 April 1952) is a South African lawyer and diplomat who focuses on democratic governance, constitutional and electoral reforms and the reconciliation and peace process. Since 2021, he has been serv ...
,‘persona non grata’. The accusation was that interference in a sovereign state's internal affairs after Haysom wrote to the Government questioning the legality of the arrest of
Mukhtar Robow Sheikh Mukhtar Robow ( so, Mukhtaar Roobow, ar, مختار روبو born 10 October 1969), also known as Abu Mansur, is a former deputy leader and former spokesman of the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab. In 2015, he defected from Al-Shabaab d ...
and Police killing of 15 protesters. Just hours before the Somali government's letter of expulsion was released to the media, two U.N. staff members and a contractor were injured after seven mortars landed inside the U.N. compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. In a statement the
UN Security Council The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN) and is charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and ...
is deeply regretted the Government's decision.


Koofur Orsi composition

As of March 2015, the Koofur Orsi State of Somalia's executive branch of government is composed of: ;President *
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan ( so, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, ar, شريف حسن الشيخ آدم; is a Somali politician. He is a former Minister of Finance of Somalia, and the last Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). Career ...
;Cabinet Ministers * Minister of Interior – Abdirahman Ibrahim Adan * Minister of Finance – Hassan Ibraahim Lugbur * Minister of Agriculture – Mohamed Hassan Fiqi * Minister of Justice – Ahmed Sheik Hassan * Minister for Security – Abdifatah Geesey * Minister for Disarmament and Rehabilitation of Militias – Hassan Hussein Mohamed * Minister for Petroleum and Energy – Salim Haji Hassan Osman * Minister for Ports and Marine Transport – Abdulkadir Sharif Sheekhuuna * Minister for Planning and International Cooperation – Abdinaasir Abdi Arush * Minister for Health – Isak Ali Subad * Minister for Education – Salad Mohamed Noor Aliyow * Minister for Culture, Higher Education and Technology – Hassan Ibrahim Hassan * Minister for Information – Hassan Abdi Mohamed * Minister of Posts and Telecommunications – Mohamed Omar Zaytun * Minister for Youth and Sports – Abdullah Abdi Omar Fanax * Minister of Commerce and Industry – Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan * Minister for Resettlement and Diaspora Affairs – Ahmed Noor Mohammed Lohos * Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Reconciliation – Abdulkadir Noor Arale * Minister for Tourism and Wildlife – Omar Hassan Aden * Minister for the Environment – Mohamud Mohamed (Ma'alim Jiis) * Minister for Religious Affairs – Ahmed Mohamed Barre * Minister for Labour and Labourers – Jeylaani Sheikh Mohamed Hassan * Minister for Mining and Water Resources – Aden Mohamed Hassan * Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disabled Care – Abdullahi Muse Abukar * Minister for Women and Family Affairs – Fatumas Omar Abuu * Minister for Air Transport and Airports – Abdullahi Adan Balch * Minister for Veterinary – Madoobe Nuunow Mohamed * Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources – Mohamud Hussein Aliyow * Minister for Works and Reconstruction – Abdullahi Ahmed Mohamed ;State Ministers * State Minister for Presidential – Mohamed Abdullahi Mursal * State Minister for Justice – Ahmed Abdullahi Hussein * State Minister for Finance – Ismail Adan Diriye * State Minister for Cooperation – Saiida Sheikh * State Minister for Interior and Local Government – Mohamed Abdi Adan * State Minister for Security – Mohamed Shiekh ;Deputy Ministers * Deputy Minister for Justice – Jibril Shiekh * Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs – Adan Mohamed Osman * Deputy Minister for Education – Engr Abdifatah Isak Mohamed * Deputy Minister for Planning – Mohamed Hajji * Deputy Minister for Interior and Local Government – Hussein Ali Haji * Deputy Minister for Agriculture – Aweys Hussein Moalim * Deputy Minister for Energy and Petroleum – * Deputy Minister for Information – Aabea Aawow Suufi Hajji Afaan * Deputy Minister for Higher Education – Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed * Deputy Minister for Environment – Adan Maamow * Deputy Minister Commerce – Abuukar Moalim Ali * Deputy Minister for Disabled People – Mohamed Olow Gaani * Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports – Abdikadir Noor ;Committees * Security Committee – five ministers In March 2015, the South West State's Minister of Tourism and Wildlife Omar Adan Hassan announced that his ministry would renovate hotels that had been run by the central government in the Southwestern State's three constituent provinces. Among the state properties scheduled for refurbishment are the Mayow, Sanguuni and Hotel Panorama. Additionally, the minister indicated that his administration was establishing game reserves and ranges to safeguard wildlife, and would launch public awareness drives against hunting.


Office

In April 2015, a new state palace for the interim South West State administration was inaugurated in Baidoa. The launch event was chaired by ISWS President Sharif Hassan, and was attended by ISWS leaders, civil society representatives and politicians.


Flag

In 2002, the reconstituted South West State of Somalia adopted a new regional state flag.


Transportation

In March 2015, construction started on a new airport in Barawe. Engineers began surveying land-plots in the southern part of the city, with the facility to be erected near the shore. The workers also measured roads between the airport and the South West State's administrative capital. In May 2015, South West State president Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan also announced that his administration would relaunch the
K50 Airstrip K50 Airstrip is an airstrip in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. It serves the capital city, Mogadishu, and was at times its main airport. Overview The name refers to its location on the country's main NE/SW road, about 50 kilometres south-w ...
in the regional state.


References

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International Crisis Group The International Crisis Group (ICG; also known as the Crisis Group) is a transnational non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1995. It is a think tank, used by policymakers and academics, performing research and analysis on global ...

Somalia’s South West State: A New President Installed, a Crisis Inflamed
24 December 2018. "Against all sensible advice, the Federal Government of Somalia muscled in on a local election to shove aside an Islamist conservative candidate. It scored a tactical victory but created significant additional risk for the country already wracked by conflict and divided along regional and clan lines." {{coord, 3.8642, N, 43.4181, E, type:adm1_source:frwiki, display=title States of Somalia States and territories established in 2002 2002 establishments in Somalia