Baidoa, SOMALIA – President Abdiaziz Laftagaren’s return to Baidoa dramatically reframes the narrative surrounding Somalia’s regional-federal tensions, particularly regarding the contentious issue of Ethiopian military presence. While the Mogadishu government attempts to paint the 25 Members of Parliament from Southwest State as traitors for advocating the continued presence of Ethiopian forces, Laftagaren boldly challenged this characterization, casting them instead as patriots of the highest order.
President Laftagaren’s audacious move directly confronts the federal government’s stance, exposing the deep divisions within Somalia’s political landscape. By likening these 25 MPs to the 13 founders of the Somali Youth League (SYL) movement, Laftagaren elevates their actions from perceived betrayal to acts of profound patriotism.
The SYL, established in 1943, spearheaded Somalia’s fight for independence and laid the groundwork for nation-building. By invoking this parallel, Laftagaren reframes the current debate as a matter of national importance, positioning these MPs not as traitors, but as visionaries working towards Somalia’s long-term interests, much like their SYL predecessors.
This historical allusion not only imbues the MPs’ stance with historical legitimacy and patriotic duty but also shields them from accusations of divisiveness or serving foreign interests. Laftagaren’s comparison effectively transforms the narrative, recasting Southwest State’s perspective as one that serves the greater good of Somalia, rather than merely pursuing narrow regional interests.
Security vs. Sovereignty
The stark contrast between the federal government’s portrayal of these MPs as traitors and Laftagaren’s elevation of them to the status of national heroes highlights the complex interplay of security, autonomy, and national unity that characterizes Somalia’s regional-federal tensions. While Mogadishu views support for Ethiopian troops as a betrayal of national sovereignty, Laftagaren presents it as a necessary and patriotic step to ensure the security and stability of both Southwest State and Somalia as a whole.
President Laftagaren’s stance gains particular significance in light of the recent pressure exerted on Southwest State representatives by Hawiye elders in Mogadishu. By standing firm in support of the MPs and reframing their actions as patriotic, Laftagaren not only defends his state’s interests but also asserts the right of federal member states to contribute to national decision-making processes, especially on matters directly affecting their security and stability.
This reframing of the debate from treason to patriotism underscores the disconnect between Mogadishu’s political calculations and the on-the-ground realities faced by regions like Southwest State. While the federal government may view the withdrawal of foreign forces as a step towards full sovereignty, Laftagaren argues that true patriotism lies in recognizing and addressing the existential security threats faced by federal member states.
The New Patriotism
Moreover, by elevating these MPs to the status of SYL founders, President Laftagaren challenges the notion that patriotism is the exclusive domain of the central government. He asserts that federal member states and minority clans can act in the national interest, even when their actions may seem to contradict the federal government’s stance. This perspective adds another layer of complexity to Somalia’s regional-federal tensions, highlighting how differing views on national security and sovereignty can coexist within a federal system.
President Laftagaren’s bold reframing of the narrative from treason to patriotism not only defends Southwest State’s position but also potentially reshapes the broader discourse on federalism in Somalia. By presenting these MPs as patriots rather than traitors, he advocates for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of national interest, one that accommodates diverse regional perspectives and security concerns within the broader framework of Somali unity and sovereignty.
The clan dimension of this debate cannot be overlooked. Southwest State, predominantly inhabited by Digil and Mirifle clans, finds itself at odds with the Hawiye-dominated political establishment in Mogadishu. President Laftagaren’s defiant stance can be seen as an assertion of Digil and Mirifle interests within the broader context of Somalia’s national politics. By aligning these interests with a narrative of patriotism, President Laftagaren challenges the often clan-centric view of Somali politics, suggesting that true national interest transcends clan boundaries.
