Southwestern Somalia

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Image:Flag of Southwestern Somalia.svg

Southwestern Somalia (Somali: Koonfur-Galbeed Soomaaliya) is a supposedly autonomous self-proclaimed state in Somalia founded by Hassan Muhammad Nur "Shatigadud", a Somali warlord, on April 1, 2002. However, since 3 October 2002 (except for a brief period on 14 December–16 December 2002), the regional capital Baidoa has been controlled by Sheikh Aden Madobe (reconciled with Shatigadud since 23 September 2003) and Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade. As of 2005, both Shatigadud and Madobe are ministers in the Transitional Federal Government of Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Ghedi.

The state is officially the Southwestern State of Somalia (Somali: Dowlad Goboleedka Koonfur-Galbeed ee Soomaaliya) and consists of two Somali administrative regions (gobolka), though only one is fully controlled by their forces. These are the Bay and Bakool regions. Bay is contested between Southwestern Somalian/Transitional Government forces, who control Baydhabo, Diinsoor, and Qansax Dheere districts, and the Union of Islamic Courts, who control Buur Xakaba (despite being captured twice by government forces for brief periods).

Since January 2005, the traditional Rahanweyn Clan elders and civic society leaders helped reconcile Shatigadud, Madobe, and Habsade and all three have been in Baidoa since 10 February 2006 helping host the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia which is holding its first Parliamentary session in Baidoa. While the Transitional Federal Government bases itself out of Baidoa, it has no direct authority over any territory whatsoever. Territorial administration still remains in the hands of the specific warlords, in this case Shatigadud, Madobe, and Habsade.

Shatigadud remains the popular leader of the Rahanweyn and, since his return, he has been named as the Chairman of the Council of the Rahanweyn court with both Madobe and Habsade being members. Habsade is allowed to be the local chief.

Southwestern State of Somalia aimed to be as autonomous as Puntland and it does not intend to separate itself from the rest of Somalia like Somaliland.

[edit] External links

Somalia Online News and Discussions

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Regions of Somalia	Image:Flag of Somalia.svg
Awdal \| Bakool \| Banaadir \| Bari \| Bay \| Galguduud \| Gedo \| Hiiraan \| Jubbada Dhexe \| Jubbada Hoose \| Mudug \| Nugaal \| Sanaag \| Shabeellaha Dhexe \| Shabeellaha Hoose \| Sool \| Togdheer \| Woqooyi Galbeed