MOGADISHU, Somalia — June 27, 2026 —Former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Lafta Gareen has denied reports circulating on social media claiming he is involved in reconciliation talks with the Somali federal government. His political team, based in Nairobi, dismissed the allegations as false and misleading, saying no such process is taking place.
The political team of former South West State President Lafta Gareen has issued a statement rejecting claims of ongoing reconciliation talks with the Somali federal government.
According to the statement released on Saturday, the reports circulating online are baseless and did not originate from Lafta Gareen or his authorized representatives.
The team, which is currently operating from Nairobi, Kenya, said there is no ongoing negotiation, agreement, or formal dialogue process between the former South West leader and federal authorities.
It added that the claims being shared on social media platforms are misleading and risk creating confusion among the public regarding the political situation.
According to Lafta Gareen’s political team, only official communications issued directly by his office should be considered credible.
The statement urged members of the public and media users to verify political information before sharing it, warning that misinformation could contribute to unnecessary political tension.
According to officials close to the statement, the denial was intended to clarify circulating narratives that had gained traction on social media in recent days.
The Somali federal government has not issued any official response regarding the claims or the denial at the time of reporting.
In Baidoa, the South West State administration, which maintains institutional alignment with federal authorities, has also not commented on the statement.
Political observers say unverified reports involving reconciliation or political negotiations often circulate in Somalia’s political environment, particularly during periods of heightened political sensitivity.
The political team of former South West President Lafta Gareen confirmed that no reconciliation talks are underway with the Somali federal government.
The statement was issued from Nairobi, where Lafta Gareen is currently based.
No official comment has been issued by the Somali federal government regarding the reported reconciliation claims or the denial from Lafta Gareen’s side.
The South West State administration in Baidoa has also remained silent on the matter at the time of reporting.
Former South West President Lafta Gareen previously led South West State, one of Somalia’s federal member states.
South West State, with Baidoa as its administrative capital, plays a key role in Somalia’s federal political and security structure.
Relations between federal authorities and regional leaders in Somalia have often involved competing political narratives, particularly around reconciliation efforts, governance arrangements, and electoral processes.
Social media has increasingly become a major platform for political communication in Somalia, often contributing to the rapid spread of unverified claims involving senior political figures.
The denial by former South West President Lafta Gareen highlights ongoing sensitivity within Somalia’s federal political system, where reports of reconciliation or political dialogue can quickly gain national attention.
Such claims, even when unverified, can influence public perception and political discourse, especially in an environment where trust in information sources remains limited.
According to political analysts, the spread of unverified political narratives may deepen uncertainty between political actors and contribute to misinformation-driven tensions.
The development also underscores the importance of verified communication channels in Somalia’s evolving political landscape, where digital platforms increasingly shape public understanding of political events.
