Southwestern Somalia

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Southwestern Somalia (Somali: Koonfur-Galbeed Soomaaliya) is an ostensibly autonomous self-proclaimed state in Somalia founded by Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud, leader of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA) on April 1, 2002.^[1][2] The state is officially the Southwestern State of Somalia (SWS) (Somali: Dowlad Goboleedka Koonfur-Galbeed ee Soomaaliya) and intended to consist of six Somali administrative regions (gobolka), though only two are currently fully controlled by their forces. These are the Bay, Bakool, Middle Juba (Jubada Dhexe), Lower Shabelle (Shabeelada Hoose), Gedo, and Lower Juba (Jubada Hoose) regions where the majority of the residents of Rahanweyn Digil-Mirifle and May-May Somali speakers. The organization of the autonomous state was a move to show the disaffection of the RRA with the nascent Mogadishu-based Transitional National Government (TNG) and an act to counter the influence of the Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) in the same regions.^[2]

Contents 1 Rivalry and reconciliation within the RRA 2 Conflict with the Islamic Courts Union 3 Potential conflict with Jubaland 4 References

[edit] Rivalry and reconciliation within the RRA

After 3 October 2002 (except for a brief period on 14 December–16 December 2002), the regional capital Baidoa was controlled by Sheikh Aden Madobe and Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade. Shatigudud and Madobe reconciled on September 23, 2003, but the rivalry with Habsade continued. All three, including Habsade, were appointed Members of Parliament in the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) in November 2004.^[3] In January 2005, the traditional Rahanweyn Clan elders and civic society leaders again helped reconcile Shatigadud, Madobe, and Habsade. At that time, both Shatigadud and Madobe also became ministers in the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Ghedi.^[4]

However, in May 2005, Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade accused Madobe and Shatigudud of attacking Baidoa to take the city on behalf of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who later used the city to establish a new interim capital within the country. In May 2005 alone, 19 were killed and 28 wounded in the fight over the city.^[5]

All three were in Baidoa on February 10, 2006 helping host the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) of Somalia hold its first Parliamentary session in Somalia (before this date, Parliament met in Kenya due to security problems in Somalia). The Transitional Federal Government based itself out of Baidoa and held little direct authority over any territory. Territorial administration often remained in the hands of the specific warlords, in this case Shatigadud, Madobe, and Habsade.

Shatigadud remains the popular leader of the Rahanweyn and, since his return, he has been named as the Chairman of the Council of the Rahanweyn court with both Madobe and Habsade being members. Habsade is allowed to be the local chief.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Conflict with the Islamic Courts Union

Main articles: Rise of the Islamic Courts Union (2006) and War in Somalia (2006–present)

During the War in Somalia (2006–present), the Bay region was heavily contested between Southwestern Somalian and Transitional Federal Government forces, who controlled the Baidoa, and Qansax Dheere districts, and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), who controlled Diinsoor and Buur Hakaba (despite being captured twice by government forces for brief periods). The forces of the TFG and Southwestern Somalia, backed by Ethiopian troops, were victorious at the Battle of Baidoa.

[edit] Potential conflict with Jubaland

Southwestern State of Somalia aimed and still aims to be as autonomous as Puntland and it does not intend to separate itself from the rest of Somalia like Somaliland. A potential territorial dispute exists over the Southwestern Somalia vision, which would organize all 6 southern Somali regions south and west of Mogadishu with Baidoa as its capital with the Juba Valley Alliance's Jubaland, which claims the whole of Lower Juba and parts of Gedo and Middle Juba regions with Kismayo as its potential capital.

The interim Transitional Federal Government is expected to settle this potential problem before its term ends. It may be possible to retain the inclusive State with Baidoa as the political capital and Kismayo as the commercial capital and port city.

[edit] References

States of Somalia
Galmudug | Puntland | Somaliland | Southwestern Somalia