#SomaliaElections2021: Polls close in Jubbaland, two more senators elected
GOOBJOOG NEWS|KISMAYO: Abdirizak Mohamed Osman beat the only female candidate in today’s senate race to become the third senator-elect while Iftin Hassan Baasto won the fourth seat unopposed.
Osman garnered 59 votes defeating Halimo Jamah Mohamed who secured 11 seats only. Baasto who was a serving senator was declared the winner after his opponent Ibrahim Yaquub Ismail withdrew from the race.
Senator-elect Osman was born in Luuq district in Gedo region, studied economics and later worked as a
He lived in the Netherlands for 14 years and returned to Africa in 2003 where he pursued business. He was among the IGAD delegates during the Jubbland state formation process. Osman was also among the founders of Kismayo University.
Senator-elect Baasto was born and raised in Kismayo. He attended university in Kenya and later joined business before he returned to Jubbaland and joined politics in 2006.
He was the deputy chairman of the Jubbaland Reconciliation Commission. He was a senator in the 10th parliament. Baasto is a close ally of former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and a member of UPD party.