Villa Somalia Moves To Shape Race For New Lower House Speaker After Madoobe’s Exit

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: A fierce contest is taking shape over the position of Speaker of Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament, with growing indications that Villa Somalia is seeking to install an ally in the powerful post following the election of former Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe) as President of South West State.

The race is aimed at filling the vacancy left by Madoobe, who stepped down from the speakership after securing victory in the South West presidential election. His departure has triggered intense political maneuvering among lawmakers and government officials competing for one of the most influential positions in Somalia’s federal system.

While Villa Somalia has not publicly endorsed any candidate, several of the names being floated for the position are senior government ministers and politicians closely aligned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Their prominence in the race has fueled speculation that the presidency is keen to ensure that a trusted ally takes control of the Lower House.

Notable Candidates

Among those widely mentioned as potential contenders are Foreign Minister Abdisaalam Abdi Ali Dhaay, the Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Nur, and several lawmakers from South West State. Political sources say lobbying efforts are already underway, with candidates holding consultations and seeking support from members of parliament ahead of the vote.

The unfolding contest comes shortly after Villa Somalia successfully backed Madoobe’s bid for the South West presidency, a political victory that strengthened the federal government’s influence in the regional state. Analysts say the presidency is now expected to focus on securing a favorable outcome in the parliamentary leadership race to further consolidate its influence within key state institutions.

The Speaker of the Lower House occupies one of the highest offices in Somalia and plays a central role in managing parliamentary proceedings, overseeing legislative business, and influencing relations between the executive and legislative branches. As a result, the outcome of the election is expected to have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.

Although no date has yet been announced for the election, political activity surrounding the race has intensified in Mogadishu, with candidates and their supporters actively courting lawmakers. Observers say the vote will be closely watched as a measure of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s ability to shape the balance of power within Somalia’s federal institutions at a critical political juncture.