Somalia Parliament to Elect New Speaker As Two MPs Enter Race

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s House of the People will elect a new speaker on Monday after MPs Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Jaamac) and Abdulkadir Omar Moallin (Daada) formally entered the race, setting up a contest for one of the country’s most important parliamentary positions.

The parliamentary election committee issued candidacy certificates to the two lawmakers on Saturday at Villa Hargeisa, confirming their participation in the Aug. 10 vote.

The election comes shortly after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud opened the eighth session of the Federal Parliament, with the government highlighting security, democratic reforms and the work ahead for lawmakers.

The speakership will also be decided against the backdrop of major political and constitutional changes. Parliament approved a new set of constitutional amendments in March, following a lengthy review process, while the country continues to debate the implementation of electoral reforms and the transition towards broader direct voting.

The election committee, appointed earlier this week, set Aug. 10 as the voting date and opened registration for candidates on Aug. 5 and 6. The committee has since confirmed the two candidates who received certificates.

The new speaker will preside over the House of the People at a politically important stage, with parliament expected to play a central role in legislation, constitutional implementation and oversight as Somalia moves through its evolving electoral process.

The contest also follows the departure of former speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur, known as Adan Madobe, who was elected president of South West State in June. His move created the vacancy now being contested in parliament.

The outcome on Monday is therefore likely to attract attention beyond parliament itself, as the speaker will occupy a key position in Somalia’s political system during a period of institutional and electoral change.