Southwest State leader Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe has called for dialogue as political tensions rise in Baidoa, where a delegation led by former parliament speaker Mohamed Mursal arrived for reconciliation talks.
Madobe received the delegation at the presidential palace, with the group led by former Somali parliament speaker Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman. Former lawmaker Adan Saransoor was also among the delegation.
The visit comes as Southwest State faces heightened political and security tensions, with armed clashes reported in Baidoa in recent days. The fighting has involved forces aligned with former Southwest leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, who is currently outside the city and remains opposed to Madobe's administration.
According to the Southwest State administration, the delegation's visit forms part of efforts to bring political figures into an upcoming reconciliation process expected to take place in Baidoa.
The meeting between Madobe and the politicians focused on political consultation, mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as the wider political and security situation in Southwest State.
Officials also discussed state-building, community unity and ways of strengthening cooperation among political actors at a time of heightened tensions in the region.
Madobe thanked the delegation for travelling to Baidoa and taking part in efforts aimed at advancing reconciliation.
He also welcomed the involvement of Somali political leaders, traditional elders, religious scholars and other sections of society in efforts to promote dialogue, peace and state-building in Southwest State.
The regional administration said the participants exchanged views on the political situation in Somalia and Southwest State, while stressing the need to address disagreements through dialogue, mutual respect and negotiated political solutions.
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The talks come after several rounds of violence in Baidoa, where clashes have raised concerns over the safety of civilians and the stability of the regional capital.
Baidoa is home to hundreds of thousands of people, including many who have been displaced by conflict and drought elsewhere in Somalia. Recent fighting has further disrupted daily life and raised concerns over access to health care and other essential services.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said this week that 148 people wounded in recent violence in Baidoa had received treatment at public and private hospitals. The Somali Red Crescent Society evacuated wounded people, while the ICRC called on all sides to take measures to protect civilians.
The latest push for dialogue also comes amid a wider political dispute over the leadership and future direction of Southwest State.
Madobe, who also serves as speaker of Somalia's federal parliament, has sought to strengthen political consultations with local communities and political figures. Recent meetings with traditional elders and community representatives have similarly focused on reconciliation, social cohesion and governance.
The Southwest administration has said it wants political disagreements to be addressed through consultation and reconciliation rather than further confrontation.
The arrival of the Mursal-led delegation marks one of the latest efforts to bring prominent political figures into discussions aimed at easing tensions in Baidoa.
Whether the talks can lead to a broader political agreement remains uncertain, but officials have emphasised dialogue as a means of reducing tensions and creating conditions for greater stability in Southwest State.
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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