Somalia’s federal government is considering financial and travel restrictions against ousted South West leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and his political allies, amid escalating tensions and recent armed clashes in Baidoa.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia's federal government is considering a series of financial and travel restrictions targeting ousted South West state president Abdiaziz Laftagareen and some of his closest political allies, according to information obtained by Somali Report.
The measures under consideration reportedly include freezing Laftagareen's personal assets and bank accounts, as well as funds and accounts belonging to individuals or entities linked to his former administration.
Federal officials are also said to be preparing a list of senior politicians and other figures aligned with Laftagareen for possible referral to immigration authorities.
If implemented, the measures could restrict the individuals' ability to travel and potentially lead to the suspension or cancellation of passports and other travel documents.
The plans have reportedly been discussed among senior federal officials and agencies including the ministries of finance and internal security, Somali police, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency and the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee.
There has been no official announcement confirming that the proposed measures have been approved or will be implemented.
The reported plans would mark a significant escalation in Somalia's political crisis in South West state, where a dispute over leadership has increasingly turned violent.
Political dispute turns violent
Federal forces seized control of Baidoa on March 30, two days after South West lawmakers re-elected Laftagareen for another five-year term in a vote rejected by the federal government.
Laftagareen initially announced that he would step down after federal forces entered Baidoa, but later reversed his position.
He has since repeatedly maintained that the March 28 election was legitimate and that he remains the lawful president of South West state.
Laftagareen has rejected the authority of the administration installed in Baidoa and described forces loyal to him as South West security forces seeking to restore what they consider the legitimate government of the state.
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The dispute has repeatedly spilled into armed clashes.
On August 17, forces loyal to Laftagareen launched a major attack on Baidoa, entering parts of the city and engaging federal forces in heavy fighting before being pushed back.
Another attack took place at dawn on September 3, when fighters supporting Laftagareen entered Baidoa from several directions and fought federal and South West forces for hours before withdrawing.
The clashes were among the most serious fighting in Baidoa since federal forces took control of the city in March.
Laftagareen has publicly attributed the attacks to forces loyal to him, describing them as operations aimed at retaking Baidoa and restoring his administration.
Government raises security concerns
The federal government has increasingly portrayed armed operations by Laftagareen's supporters as a security threat rather than simply a political dispute.
Following the September 3 fighting, Somalia's Defence Ministry accused forces supporting Laftagareen of fighting alongside Al-Shabaab militants.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and Laftagareen's camp has repeatedly rejected claims linking its forces to the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
The federal government's reported consideration of financial and travel restrictions appears aimed at increasing pressure on Laftagareen and his political network while limiting their ability to mobilise resources.
If approved, the measures would represent the strongest pressure yet imposed by Mogadishu on Laftagareen and his allies since federal forces took control of Baidoa.
They could also push the South West crisis into a new phase, combining political pressure with financial restrictions and continued military confrontation.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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