President Hassan Sheikh Arrives in Dhusamareb for Galmudug Presidential Inauguration

GOOBJOOG NEWS|DHUSAMAREEB: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Dhusamareb on Thursday to attend the inauguration of Galmudug’s newly elected president, Liibaan Ahmed Hassan, as senior federal and regional leaders gathered in the central Somali city for the ceremony.

The Somali president traveled to the Galmudug capital alongside a federal delegation to take part in the swearing-in of the new regional administration. The event has drawn senior officials from the Federal Government, leaders of federal member states, and other guests from across the country.

Liibaan Ahmed Hassan was elected president of Galmudug on October 22 after securing 72 votes in the regional parliament, defeating his closest rival, Abdulkadir Abdullahi Diriye.

His election followed a lengthy and contested electoral process. Somalia’s Supreme Court annulled the initial parliamentary elections held in July, citing constitutional and procedural violations, and ordered a rerun that took place on September 30. The subsequent vote paved the way for the formation of a new regional parliament, which later elected Liibaan as president.

A day before the inauguration, Liibaan formally took over leadership from outgoing President Ahmed Abdi Kariye, known as Qoorqoor, during a handover ceremony in Dhusamareb.

The inauguration brings together Somalia’s federal and regional leadership at a time when discussions over constitutional reforms, elections, security, and federal-state relations remain key issues on the national agenda.