Southwestern Somalia is a supposedly autonomous self-proclaimed state in Somalia founded by Hassan Muhammad Nur "Shatigadud", a Somali warlord, on April 1, 2002. However, since October 3, 2002 (except for a brief period on 14-16 December 2002), the regional capital Baidoa has been controlled by Sheikh Aden Madobe (reconciled with Shatigadud since September 23, 2003) and Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade. As of 2005, both Shatigadud and Madobe are ministers in the transitional central government of Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Ghedi. The situation remains unclear as to whether the state is now dissolved or whether Shatigadud continues to hold the title of president, especially as he is now in the transitional government.

The State consists of six Somali administrative regions (gobolka). These are Bay, Bakool, Gedo, Lower Shabele (Shabeellaha Hoose), Middle Juba (Jubbada Dhexe) and Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) regions. Since January 2005 the Traditional Rahanwein Clan elders and civic society leaders helped reconcile Shatigadud, Madobe and Habsade and all three have been in Baidoa from 10 February 2006 helping host the Transitional Federal Parliamt of Somalia which is holding its 1st Parliamentary seesion in Baidoa, the capital of Somalia's Southwestern State.

Shatigadud remains the popular leader of the Rahanwein ( Digil & Mirifle Clans) and since his return he has been named as the Chairman of the Council of the Rahanwein Court with both Madobe and Habsade being members. Habsade is allowed to be the local chief.

Southwestern State of Somalia aimed to be as autonomous as Puntland and it does not intend to separate itself from the rest of Somalia like Somaliland. Jubaland is part of this greater Southwestern State of Somalia.