**Former South West State President Rejects Allegations Linking Darawish Forces to Al‑Shabaab**
*Baidoa, Somalia – 28 August 2026* – Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, who served as president of Somalia’s South West State, has denied claims that the region’s Darawish security units are affiliated with the militant group Al‑Shabaab. In a statement released in Baidoa, Laftagareen also urged the African Union (AU) and its Somalia mission (AU‑Somalia, AUSSOM) to refrain from intervening in Somalia’s internal political disputes.
Laftagareen described the Darawish forces as “legally established security units tasked with protecting civilians, government institutions, public security and constitutional order in South West State.” He characterized the allegations of Al‑Shabaab links as “baseless” and warned that unsubstantiated accusations could endanger civilians and security personnel, as well as erode confidence in AUSSOM.
The former president emphasized that political disagreements between Somalia’s federal government and its member states should not impede the fight against armed groups. He called for political disputes to be settled through dialogue, constitutional procedures, and an inclusive political process, cautioning that the use of military force in such disputes could exacerbate violence, displacement, and social divisions.
While praising the AU’s long‑standing role in supporting Somalia’s security, Laftagareen urged AUSSOM to maintain political neutrality and impartiality, avoiding any perception of taking sides in domestic conflicts. He requested that the AU and AUSSOM independently verify any security‑related information or allegations concerning South West State before endorsing or participating in military actions.
The statement also warned against measures that could trigger violence, airstrikes, or displacement, stressing that all security operations must comply with international humanitarian law and the obligation to protect civilians. Laftagareen expressed willingness to share security and political information with international organisations and to cooperate with an independent investigation to establish factual conditions on the ground.
Laftagareen, who continues to command forces positioned on the outskirts of Baidoa, reiterated that dialogue, stability, and the safety of Somali civilians should remain the priority, and cautioned against resolving political disputes through military means.
Article and image source: allafrica.com
