Baidoa, Somalia – The ongoing battle today in Bardaale between a clan militia from the Leysan clan and the combined forces of the Bardaale Police and the Southwest State (SWS) Darawish has once again brought to the fore the deep-rooted clan tensions and political instability that have plagued the region for years. The latest flare-up, which has already claimed the life of Aliyow Borow, the commander of the Bardaale police, and at least four of his troops, is a stark reminder of the fragility of the security situation in Southwest State and the urgent need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to conflict resolution and reconciliation.
The roots of the current crisis can be traced back to the controversial election of Abdiasis Laftagaren as the president of Southwest State in December 2018, following the arrest and detention of his main rival, Mukhtar Robow, a prominent Leysan leader. Robow’s abduction and subsequent house arrest in Mogadishu until May 2022 have left deep scars on the Leysan community and fueled resentment towards the SWS administration, which is seen as being complicit in his persecution.
The NCC’s Illegal Extension and Its Consequences
The decision by the National Consultative Council (NCC) to illegally extend the terms of Federal Member State (FMS) presidents, including that of Abdiasis Laftagaren, has further exacerbated clan tensions in Southwest State. The move, which has been widely condemned as unconstitutional and a threat to regional stability, has provided Laftagaren with a veneer of legitimacy to continue occupying his seat, despite the fact that his term officially came to an end in December 2022.
The extension of Laftagaren’s term has not only undermined the democratic process and the rule of law in Southwest State but has also served to further marginalize and alienate the Leysan community, which has long felt excluded from the corridors of power. The deployment of state Darawish forces to support clan militias allied with Laftagaren in the past month has only served to heighten tensions and fuel fears of a wider conflict.
The Killing of Malaaq Mansuur Yuusuf Maxamuud and Its Aftermath
The killing of Malaaq Mansuur Yuusuf Maxamuud, a respected traditional leader from the Leysan clan, by SWS forces in early May has further inflamed tensions and led to the retreat of Leysan clan militias from Bardaale town. The militias, which have since based themselves outside the town, were attacked today by the combined forces of the Bardaale Police and the SWS Darawish, in what appears to be a coordinated attempt to crush resistance to Laftagaren’s rule.
The death of Aliyow Borow, the commander of the Bardaale police, and at least four of his troops in today’s battle is a tragic reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Southwest State. It also underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to conflict resolution and reconciliation that takes into account the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all communities in the region.
The Leysan-SWS Conflict
The latest battle between the Leysan clan militias and the SWS forces and the killing of the police chief in Bardaale, Aliyow Borow, is part of a broader pattern of conflict and instability that has plagued the region for years. The Leysan community has long felt marginalized and excluded from the political process in Southwest State, and has repeatedly clashed with state forces in Bardaale and other parts of the region.
The failure of successive SWS administrations to address the root causes of the conflict and engage in meaningful dialogue and reconciliation with the Leysan community has only served to perpetuate the cycle of violence and instability. The absence of a clear plan to resolve the conflict and build a more inclusive and representative political system in Southwest State has left the region vulnerable to further flare-ups and has undermined the prospects for lasting peace and stability.
