Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud - President of Southwestern Somalia (SWS)

President of Southwestern Somalia (SWS)

On April 1, 2002, he became the first President of the ostensibly autonomous self-proclaimed state in Somalia. The organization of the autonomous state was thought to be a move to show the disaffection of the RRA with the nascent Mogadishu-based Transitional National Government (TNG) and an act to counter the influence of the Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) in the same regions. However, internal disputes erupted between Shatigadud, who wished to support the new Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) and his two deputies, Sheikh Aden Madobe and Muhammad Ibrahim Habsade, who wished to continue to support the TNG. The conflict resulted in many deaths and calls for Shatigadud to step down as President. Habsade continued to meet with TNG leaders ostensibly with the hope of being part of the nascent national government. The warring leaders of the RRA were eventually reconciled and, though conflicts periodically erupted thereafter, all joined the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) at its formation.