Southwestern Somalia

Infobox_Country
native_name = Southwestern Somalia
common_name = Southwestern Somalia

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map_caption = Southwestern Somalia and claimed territories, 2002-2006
national_motto =
national_anthem =
official_languages = Somali, Arabic
capital = Baidoa
latd= |latm= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longEW=
largest_city = Baidoa
government_type =
leader_title1 = President
leader_title2 =
leader_name1 = Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud
leader_name2 =
area_rank =
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sovereignty_type = Autonomy
sovereignty_note = within Somalia
established_event1 = Declared
established_event2 = Abandoned
established_date1 = April 1, 2002
established_date2 = February 10, 2006
currency = Somali shilling
currency_code = SOS
country_code = so
time_zone = EAT
utc_offset = +3
time_zone_DST = "not observed"
utc_offset_DST = +3
cctld = .so
calling_code = 252 (Somalia)
footnotes =

Southwestern Somalia ( _so. "Koonfur-Galbeed Soomaaliya") was 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.cite news
title=SOMALIA: RRA sets up autonomous region
url=http://www.fotw.us/flags/so-sws.html
date=2002-04-01
publisher=IRIN
accessdate=2007-02-04 ] cite news
title=Third autonomous region breaks with Somalia
url=http://www.afrol.com/News2002/som004_southwest.htm
publisher=Afrol News
date=2002-03-02
accessdate=2007-02-04] The state was officially the Southwestern State of Somalia (SWS) (Somali: "Dowlad Goboleedka Koonfur-Galbeed ee Soomaaliya") and intended to consist of six Somali administrative regions ("gobolka"); 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.cite news
title=Third autonomous region breaks with Somalia
url=http://www.afrol.com/News2002/som004_southwest.htm
publisher=Afrol News
date=2002-03-02
accessdate=2007-02-04]

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.cite web
title=SELECTED MEMBERS OF TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL PARLIAMENT OF SOMALIA
url=http://somali-civilsociety.org/downloads/Names%20of%20the%20selected%20Members%20of%20Parliament.pdf
month=November | year=2004
accessdate=2007-02-04 |format=PDF] 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.cite web
title=Prime Minister Geedi announced his second cabinet line up
url=http://www.somali-civilsociety.org/downloads/press/List%20Cabinet%20Ministers%208_%20Jan_05.pdf
accessdate=2007-02-03 |format=PDF]

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.cite news
title=Somali factions fight for key town, 19 killed
url=http://www.sabcnews.com/Article/PrintWholeStory/0,2160,105535,00.html
date=2005-05-30
publisher=SABC News
accessdate=2007-02-03 ]

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.Fact|date=February 2007

Conflict with the Islamic Courts Union

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.

Current Status

Southwestern Somalia has largely thrown its lot in with the Transitional Federal Government, and has abandoned the idea of autonomy.

References