LASANOD, Somalia – Lawmakers from Somalia’s newly established Northeastern state on Saturday elected Dr. Adan Abdullahi Aw-Hassan as speaker of the regional parliament, marking a key milestone in the formation of the federal member state.
Dr. Adan secured 53 votes, defeating his challenger Abdiqafar Dheeliye, who received 29. One vote was declared invalid, according to the electoral commission.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre congratulated Dr. Adan on his election, expressing confidence in his leadership during the state-building process.
“I hope that God will ease the heavy responsibility entrusted to the new Speaker. I believe he will play a vital role in building the administration, completing the electoral process and upholding the rule of law,” President Mohamud said in a statement.
Prime Minister Hamza praised the lawmakers for what he described as a “remarkable fulfillment” of their constitutional duties.
In the same session, MP Amran Ahmed Hassan was elected First Deputy Speaker, while Abdirizak Jama Warsame was chosen as Second Deputy Speaker.
