MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s federal government has thwarted plans by Ethiopia and Southwest state authorities to airlift hundreds of fresh troops into key towns in the Lower Shabelle region, aiming to wrest control from the Somali army, Caasimada online news website reported on Monday.
Southwest state leader Abdiasis Laftagaren, who is planning to hold a unilateral election in an attempt to secure re-election, intended to deploy fresh troops to Barawe, Marka, and other towns in the Lower Shabelle region. This plan was proposed and facilitated by Ethiopia’s government.
However, the Somali government, aware of the plans, denied permission for two aircraft carrying troops to land in Barawe town on Sunday and Monday. Analysts say this action highlights the heightened level of dispute between the federal and regional leaders.
The Somali government plans to hold a parallel election in Barawe if Laftagaren conducts a unilateral vote in Baidoa to secure re-election. Meanwhile, Laftagaren and Ethiopia, aware of the risks, are intensifying efforts to take over Barawe and other key towns in the Lower Shabelle region to strengthen their position relative to the Somali federal government.
The only means of transportation for the army and regional security forces in Barawe, Marka, and other key towns in the region are air and sea, as Al-Shabaab has blocked roads and laid siege to these towns nearly a decade ago. Therefore, anyone controlling the airports and seaports of these towns will have complete control and will be able to deny others from maintaining a foothold in these strategic urban areas.
Last week, Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre was dispatched to Baidoa to persuade Laftagaren not to hold a unilateral vote, but he returned empty-handed, with results that were unfavorable to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has opted to use the Speaker of Parliament, Sheikh Adan Madobe, who wields significant influence in the region, to leverage his position and dissuade Laftagaren from holding an election without cooperation with the federal government. However, it remains uncertain whether this approach will yield results.
In light of the escalating tensions, the mayor of Barawe town announced on Monday that anyone opposing the Southwest state leader would be denied entry to the town. The simmering political bickering became more visible on Tuesday when videos showed dozens of stranded passengers at Adan Adde Airport after they were informed that no flights would be allowed to the town until further notice.
It is not yet clear if the Somali government is planning an air blockade against Southwest state, which is already under siege by Al-Shabaab and relies on air travel as its primary means of access. A similar blockade was previously imposed by the government of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Jubaland during a peak in regional election disputes in 2019.
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