Former U.S. Ambassador Raises Alarm Over Somalia’s Political Crisis and Fighting in South West State

MOGADISHU (SD) — Former U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Larry André Jr. has urged the international community to increase pressure on the Somali federal government to halt hostilities in South West State, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of using security forces for political purposes amid worsening displacement and humanitarian conditions.

Speaking in an interview with Sky News, André described Somalia’s situation as serious and questioned the legitimacy of the federal government, arguing that it had remained in office beyond its mandate and was deploying troops against political opponents rather than prioritizing civilian protection. Several Somali media outlets reported his comments on October 12–14.

André, who served as U.S. ambassador to Somalia from 2022 to 2023, focused particularly on the conflict in and around Baidoa, the capital of Bay region. He argued that the political dispute between Mogadishu and South West State cannot be resolved through military action and called for a return to political dialogue. The federal government’s position on the specific allegations was not included in the reports reviewed.

The interview comes amid renewed clashes in Baidoa between forces linked to the former South West State administration and the Somali National Army. The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on October 6 that the fighting had displaced more than 5,600 people and caused civilian casualties, raising concerns about the safety of residents and access to essential services.

André also highlighted the country’s worsening humanitarian outlook and declining international assistance. The World Food Programme and the Somali government warned in September that 5.4 million people could face crisis-level hunger or worse between October and December 2026, including approximately 1.5 million facing emergency levels of hunger. Aid agencies have also warned that flooding, insecurity and funding shortfalls could further disrupt food supplies and humanitarian operations.

The former ambassador called on international partners to press Somali authorities to protect civilians, stop the fighting and ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches vulnerable communities. He also raised concerns about reports of Turkish F-16 airstrikes in South West State. Those reports and the circumstances of any alleged strikes require independent verification; the accounts reviewed did not establish the targets or civilian impact of the alleged operations.

André’s intervention brings international attention to the overlap between Somalia’s political tensions, military operations and humanitarian emergency. His criticism reflects concerns about the use of federal security forces in disputes with regional administrations, although his characterization of the government’s legitimacy and intentions remains his own assessment.

The immediate challenge is to prevent further violence and displacement in Baidoa while maintaining humanitarian access. With millions of Somalis facing acute food insecurity and aid agencies warning of famine risk among displaced people in the area, continued fighting could make an already severe crisis harder to manage.

The dispute also raises questions about federal-state relations and the role of international partners. A durable response would require the parties to clarify their political differences through dialogue, ensure accountability for any abuses and protect civilians regardless of political affiliation. André’s remarks increase pressure for such action, but resolving the crisis will depend on decisions by Somali political leaders and the verified facts on the ground.