Sheikh Madobe, Shariif Sakin To Face Off In South West Presidential Poll

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BAIDOA: The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has officially cleared three candidates for the upcoming Southwest State presidential election, setting up a contest that pits the current federal parliament speaker against a former regional president in a vote with significant implications for the balance of power between Mogadishu and the regions.

Sheikh Aadan Mohamed Nuur, the sitting speaker of the Lower House of the Federal Parliament, running on the ticket of JSP, the ruling party of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will battle it out with veteran politician Shariif Hassan Sheikh Aadan, a former Southwest State president and former Lower House speaker. Popularly known as Sharif Sakin, Adan will be running under the NationalUnion Party (NPU).

The third candidate is Abdiasiis Mohamed Osman contesting under the Karaama party banner. The elections are slated for June 10.

Nur’s candidacy under JSP signals strong and well-prepared federal government interest in the Southwest State outcome. Beyond fielding the speaker as its presidential candidate, JSP has already secured a majority in the state assembly and holds the assembly speakership, giving the president’s party a significant structural advantage heading into the vote.

Shariif Sakin brings his own considerable political pedigree to the race. He was removed from the Southwest State presidency in 2018 under circumstances similar to those that later befell his successor, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, and his candidacy now represents a potential comeback for a figure who has long been central to both regional and national politics.

The commission called on parliamentarians, candidates, observers and the public to cooperate in ensuring the election proceeds according to the established schedule and regulations.