Baidoa After the Political Upheaval: A Personal Reflection
By a Concerned Resident of Southwest State
Over the past several days, I have spent time traveling throughout Baidoa, speaking with local residents and observing conditions on the ground following what many people in Southwest State describe as the political overthrow of their elected leadership.
What I witnessed was deeply troubling.
The overwhelming sentiment I encountered was not one of hope or optimism, but of fear, frustration, and disappointment. Many people told me they feel abandoned by the very institutions that were supposed to protect them. They spoke of insecurity, uncertainty, and a growing sense that their voices no longer matter.
As I moved through different parts of the city, residents consistently described a deterioration in security. Reports of theft, armed robberies in broad daylight, and the spread of illegal checkpoints were common topics of conversation. Several people told me they believe law and order have weakened significantly compared to previous years.
Perhaps most disturbing were allegations from some residents regarding abuses committed against local women and girls by security personnel brought from outside the region. These claims are serious and deserve impartial investigation and accountability wherever evidence exists.
I repeatedly asked people why there had not been larger public demonstrations or organized resistance against the current situation. The answers I received were often accompanied by sadness and hesitation. Many expressed fear of speaking openly. Some believed that criticizing the authorities could bring consequences upon themselves or their families. Whether these fears are justified or not, the perception itself speaks volumes about the current atmosphere.
Economic conditions also appeared to have worsened. Business owners and ordinary residents described declining commercial activity, with some shops closing and families relocating out of the city. Others said they simply no longer wished to remain and witness what they viewed as the humiliation of their region.
One of the most striking changes I observed was the self-imposed curfew adopted by many residents. Numerous people told me they avoid leaving their homes after 7 p.m. because they no longer feel safe at night. Streets that were once active and full of life now become quiet much earlier than before.
At the same time, warnings of possible attacks and nightly security alerts have become part of everyday life. The constant anticipation of violence has created an atmosphere of tension that hangs over the city.
As I walked through Baidoa, I saw a city that physically looked familiar but emotionally felt different. The buildings remain, the streets remain, and the people remain, yet many residents described feeling as though the soul of the city has been diminished.
A recurring theme in my conversations was nostalgia for the recent past. Many residents spoke fondly of the previous administration and expressed a desire for its return. Whether one agrees with that political position or not, it is undeniable that many people remember a period when they felt safer, more secure, and more optimistic about the future. They recalled a city where families could move freely late into the evening and where daily life felt more normal.
Baidoa has long been a city known for its resilience. Its people have endured conflict, hardship, and political uncertainty before. Yet today, many residents feel they are carrying a heavy burden and waiting for better days.
As someone who loves this city, it is painful to witness the suffering and anxiety that so many people describe. My hope is that peace, stability, justice, and genuine self-governance will one day return, allowing Baidoa to regain the vibrancy and freedom that its people remember and deserve.
Above all, I pray that my beautiful city, one that I love and cherish, will once again find its liberty and its peace.