Wednesday September 11, 2024
Baidoa (HOL) — A delegation led by Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre arrived in Baidoa on Wednesday to hold talks with Southwest regional state leaders about enhancing federal-state relations.
Southwest state leader Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, along with several officials from his administration, welcomed the Prime Minister and his delegation upon their arrival at the airport.
"The visit of the Prime Minister is part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Southwest state. Discussions will focus on accelerating the fight against the Khawarij, political issues, security, and economic development," read a statement from the Office of Prime Minister Hamse.
The meetings between Prime Minister Barre and President Laftagareen are expected to address differing views over the planned withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia, particularly in the Southwest state.
Both Southwest and Jubbaland states recently opposed the federal government's decision to withdraw Ethiopian forces when the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) expires in December 2024. The withdrawal plan has been a point of contention, as some regional states fear it could weaken security in their areas.
Somalia's National Security Adviser, Hussein Sheikh Ali, announced in June that the federal government expects all Ethiopian troops to leave Somalia by the end of the ATMIS mandate, with troops from other contributing countries remaining under a new operation slated to begin in January 2025.
Ethiopian forces have reportedly taken control of key airports in Somalia's Gedo region, including Luuq, Dolow, and Bardhere, amid rising tensions following reports that the Somali federal government plans to deploy Egyptian troops near the Ethiopian border.Relations between the federal government of Somalia, Ethiopia, and
Somaliland have been strained following Ethiopia's controversial
agreement with Somaliland over access to the Red Sea coast, which
Mogadishu considers a violation of its sovereignty.