President Abdiaziz Laftagareen of South West State delivered a firm response to the recent tensions surrounding local support for Ethiopian forces in his region. Speaking in Baidoa, Laftagareen addressed the growing concerns over the presence of Ethiopian troops and voiced his alignment with members of parliament from South West State who had recently spoken out in Mogadishu.

The MPs had expressed their strong opposition to the possibility of the Egypt-Ethiopia conflict being drawn into Somalia, specifically their territories. They made it clear that such an extension of the regional conflict would be unacceptable, and President Laftagareen echoed this sentiment, stating that the people of South West State would not allow their lands to become a battleground for external disputes.

President Laftagareen also criticized recent remarks from political figures in Mogadishu, stating that the rhetoric emerging from the capital threatens the unity of the country. He emphasized the importance of national solidarity and urged all Somali leaders to avoid divisive language that could harm the cohesion of the nation.

“If there is any Somali unity, it begins with the people of South West State,” Laftagareen stated. “What’s being said from Mogadishu is an insult to that unity.” His comments reflect growing frustration within regional administrations as they navigate both internal and external pressures amidst Somalia’s ongoing political challenges.