Somalia: Southwest state delegates adopt constitution, select capital city

Image

BAIDOA, Somalia Nov 8, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Despite deeply embedded political division, 370 delegates for the first time adopted Southwest state constitution on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.

“Southwest state administration has been given birth to today,” said Mohamed Nur who has been attending a month-long convention aimed at the formation of a federal state consisting of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions.

Political and community leaders representing-the three regions- while debating the future capital of the third newest autonomous state, pointed fingers at former Al Shabaab hub and the coastal town of Barawe.

Meanwhile, the political infighting between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed might have put three-region state formation on the blink following the recall of Federal Government of Somalia’s officials from Baidoa.

Former parliament speaker and the political opponent of the sitting Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari is among the favorite front-runners.

Yesterday’s adoption in Baidoa signals a major milestone in the country’s loose federalization process.

GAROWE ONLINE

Related Articles

US troops targeted in indirect fire attack near Somalia’s Kismayo: AFRICOM

Al-Shabab said the attack was part of a wider retaliation for what it described as U.S. support for Israeli military operations in Gaza.

  • Somalia

    05-09-2025

  • 09:16AM

AFRICOM Shares New Anti–Al-Shabaab Strategy with Somalia President Hassan Sheikh

Gen. Anderson’s visit to Somalia is part of a regional tour of African countries where U.S. forces are deployed.

  • Somalia

    04-09-2025

  • 01:26PM