Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen

Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen is the former president of Somalia's South West State. He has recently become newsworthy due to intense fighting in Baidoa, the state's largest city. Forces loyal to Laftagareen clashed with the Somali national army for control of Baidoa. These clashes occurred after his administration had announced it was severing ties with the federal government. Following the heavy fighting, the Somali national army took control of Baidoa, and Laftagareen subsequently resigned from his position as regional leader. His resignation and the preceding conflict highlight ongoing political tensions and power struggles within Somalia's federal structure, particularly concerning the autonomy of regional states.