The president of Somalia's South West state, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, resigned from his position after federal government-aligned forces entered South West state's interim capital of Baidoa, Hiiraan Online reported on March 30. Laftagareen reportedly reached an agreement with the federal government following deadly clashes in the city that allowed him to flee to Kenya, before which he appointed South West state Finance Minister Ahmed Mohamed Hussein in his place.

Escalating tensions in South West state come after the federal government passed constitutional reforms transitioning the country's voting system for the presidency from clan-based voting to indirect universal suffrage. The opposition Somali Future Council has rejected these reforms, claiming that Mohamud's term ends on April 14. However, other interpretations of Somali law suggest it would end on May 15, while the recent passing of constitutional reforms opens the door to a one-year extension of Mohamud's term.