Boost for Ports Minister Jama as Rival Withdraws from Lower House Speaker Race

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama, has received a major boost in his bid for Speaker of the House of the People after rival candidate Saadad Aliyow officially withdrew from the race and endorsed his candidacy following a mediation effort led by former Lower House Speaker and current South West State President Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur.

Aliyow, who recently resigned as State Minister for Interior to contest the position, announced that he was stepping aside in support of Jama, leaving the security minister as the sole remaining candidate for the speakership.

A photograph released on Wednesday evening showed Aliyow and Jama shaking hands with Sheikh Adan standing between them, underscoring his role in brokering the agreement that paved the way for Aliyow’s withdrawal from the contest.

According to reports, Sheikh Adan held a series of consultations with the two candidates before securing the deal, which is expected to unite their supporters behind Jama’s candidacy.

The development significantly strengthens Jama’s path to the position ahead of the scheduled election, as lawmakers prepare to choose the next Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People.