SOMALIA – The Somalia’s South West State president resigned on Monday, just hours after federal forces secured full control of the administrative capital Baidoa, paving way for a federal-led transition.

“I, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, effective today, March 30, 2026, have resigned from the position of President of South West State,” Laftagareen said on the US social media platform Facebook.

He had been in office for more than seven years.

The state began its transition as its finance minister, Ahmed Mohamed Hussein, was appointed as acting president through a formal decree.

The announcement came as federal forces entered Baidoa earlier Monday, taking full control of the city and marking the start of a political transition.

The central government in Mogadishu hailed the South West state‘s transition and urged calm and unity.

“The people of the South West State have taken control of Baidoa, signaling demand for accountability. The Federal Government of Somalia remains committed to stability, protecting lives and property, and ensuring no persecution or retaliation,” Somali Information Minister Daud Aweis said in a statement.

Mogadishu also emphasized that no acts of retaliation will be tolerated, underscoring the commitment to protecting lives and property during “this sensitive” political transition.