Kenya Urged to Arrest Laftagareen, Hand Him to Somalia

Baidoa – South West State’s Security Minister, Osman Isaaq Mohamed, has called on Kenya to arrest Laftagareen, the region’s former president, and extradite him to Somalia. Multiple Somali outlets reported the demand, made Thursday. The minister was addressing the security crisis in Baidoa after the deadliest clashes the city has seen since March. He accused former President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” of responsibility for recent attacks and bombings in the city. He said Laftagareen must face accountability for the violence.

The demand to arrest Laftagareen lands at a tense moment for Somalia’s federal system. Baidoa has become the flashpoint in a months-long power struggle between the federal government and the man who once ran South West State. Last week’s battle for the city was the most serious armed confrontation since that dispute began. As a result, a political rift has hardened into open military conflict, with regional and diplomatic consequences that reach well beyond one city.

Minister’s Direct Appeal to Nairobi

Minister Mohamed did not soften his language. He said South West authorities want Kenya to detain the former leader and route him back to Somalia through Interpol’s international channels so that he can be held accountable.