[5] Datu Saudi Ampatuan was created under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No.

On July 30, 2009, upon the ratification of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts No.

225 (as amended by MMAA 252) and MMAA 222 (as amended by MMAA 253), the municipalities of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Salibo, respectively, were created from a total of 5 entire barangays and a portion of one barangay from Datu Saudi Ampatuan, in addition to other barangays from Datu Piang, Datu Unsay, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak.

Datu Saudi Ampatuan mayor Samsudin Dimaukom, publicly accused by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of involvement in the illegal drug trade, was killed on October 28, 2016, along with nine others, by Philippine police at a highway checkpoint in what police describe as an anti-drug operation.

[8][9] Datu Saudi Ampatuan is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.