The President of the South West State, Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed (Lafta Gareen), has officially announced his resignation from the presidency, according to a brief statement he posted on his official Facebook page.
The decision comes hours after the Somali Federal Government forces and the opposition group known as the South West Salvation Army entered the city of Baidoa.
Before resigning, the former South West State President appointed his Minister of Finance, Ahmed Mohamed Hussein, as acting president to maintain the leadership of the administration until a final political solution is reached.
According to reliable sources, Lafta Gareen and the Speaker of the South West State Parliament, Ali Said Fiqi, flew to Nairobi, refusing to travel to Mogadishu and surrender to the central government.
Reports also indicate that during talks in Baidoa, the Federal Government has allowed Lafta Gareen to leave the city, but on the condition that he first resigns and hands over the finance minister, pending elections.
President Lafta Gareen has been in power in the South West region for seven years, and many were surprised to see him removed from power within hours.
Days earlier, Lafta Gareen was elected president after a hastily organized election that is believed to have further increased Federal Government interference.
