BAIDOA — South West State Security Minister Osman Isaaq Mohamed has called on Kenya to arrest the region’s former president, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, and extradite him to Somalia.
Mohamed made the demand on Thursday while discussing the security crisis in Baidoa, according to Radio Dalsan reporting carried by AllAfrica. Multiple Somali outlets were reported to have covered his remarks.
The minister accused Laftagareen of responsibility for recent attacks and bombings in Baidoa and said the former regional president should face proceedings in Somalia. The supplied evidence does not include supporting material for the allegation or a response from Laftagareen. His legal position in relation to the accusations is also not stated.
The appeal followed clashes described in the reports as the deadliest Baidoa has experienced since March. No figures were provided for deaths, injuries, arrests or damage, and the specific incidents attributed by the minister to Laftagareen were not identified.
It is not clear from the available reporting whether Laftagareen is currently in Kenya, whether Somalia or South West State has submitted a formal arrest or extradition request, or whether any court has issued a warrant. Kenyan authorities had not been quoted responding to Mohamed’s call in the supplied evidence.
The minister’s statement places pressure on Kenya to become involved in a dispute tied to security in Somalia’s South West State. However, the next steps remain uncertain without confirmation of Laftagareen’s location, the legal basis for extradition, or an official response from Nairobi.