Sunday February 5, 2023
Baidoa (HOL) - State leaders and opposition groups in South West regional state's capital Baidoa reached a reconciliation agreement on Sunday following a two-week reconciliation conference.
According to the conference communique, the two sides agreed that the regional lawmakers would be selected by the traditional elders of the communities living in the South West between November and December 2023.
The statement added that the regional parliament speaker and regional President would be elected in January 2024.
According to the joint statement, the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs will be responsible for implementing this agreement.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Lower House Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe were present at the agreement reached by both parties in Baidoa.
Last week, leaders of the Southwest regional states and opposition groups settled the clash in late December that killed over ten people in Baidoa.
At least ten people were killed in Baidoa on December 23 after Southwest security forces and militia loyal to regional opposition candidates clashed at the home of former federal finance minister Mohamed Adan Ibrahim Fargeti, where opposition-loyal militia gathered.
The agreement is expected to end the standoff between President Lafta Gareen and the South West opposition, which has also hampered the second phase of operations against al-Shabab.