Somalia: Aden Madobe meets Ethiopian military officials amid rising tensions in South West State

BAIDOA, Somalia — South West State leader Aden Madobe, has met with senior Ethiopian military officers in Baidoa to discuss security in the city, as tensions continue between his administration and forces loyal to former regional president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.

The meeting focused on security arrangements in Baidoa and efforts to prevent attacks by fighters aligned with Laftagareen, according to reports about the discussions.

The talks come as Madobe faces growing pressure to defend his administration amid renewed clashes and reports of advances by forces loyal to the former regional leader in parts of the Bay region.

Madobe assumed control of the South West State administration in March after Somali federal forces seized Baidoa, forcing Laftagareen to leave office and flee the city. The takeover followed a political dispute between Laftagareen and the federal government over the region’s leadership and constitutional changes.

Ethiopian troops have maintained a presence in parts of South West State as part of international security efforts in Somalia. Their position has become a sensitive issue as the political confrontation between the two Somali camps has increasingly turned into an armed struggle.

Reports say Ethiopian commanders have declined to take sides in the dispute, maintaining that their responsibility is to support security operations against al-Shabab rather than become involved in a political conflict between Somali factions.

The reported refusal presents a challenge for Madobe’s administration as it seeks to strengthen its security position in and around Baidoa.

A separate report by Shabelle Media Network said Madobe met with the commander of the African Union peacekeeping force’s Third Sector on Oct. 30. That meeting was publicly described as focusing on security cooperation and operations against al-Shabab.

The latest developments underscore the difficulties facing the South West administration as it seeks to consolidate its authority while confronting armed opposition from Laftagareen’s supporters.

GAROWE ONLINE