Southwest State lawmakers elected Mahad Mohamed Sheikh Hassan as speaker of the regional House of Representatives on Thursday, completing a key stage in the formation of the new parliamentary leadership.
Mahad won 70 votes in a ballot held at the regional parliament hall in Baidoa. His challenger, Abdihakim Fiqi, received 25 votes.
Lawmakers also elected Aden Hassan Mohamed Osama as first deputy speaker. He secured 82 votes, defeating Abdirisaq Hussein Aden, who received 12.
Shamso Mohamed Yarow was elected second deputy speaker with 72 votes, while Ahlaam Omar Mohamed received 21.
The vote completed the selection of the leadership of the Southwest State House of Representatives, the regional administration’s legislative body.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated the newly elected parliamentary leaders, stating the vote reflected progress in the democratic process and the building of state institutions.
“I am confident that they will discharge their duties with transparency, honesty and responsibility, and will work to strengthen the work of the House of Representatives and serve the people of Southwest,” Mohamud said in a statement.
The speaker is one of the most influential positions in Southwest State, responsible for presiding over parliamentary sessions, guiding the legislative agenda and coordinating institutional relations with the regional administration and the federal government.
Southwest State, which includes Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions, plays a central role in Somalia’s politics and security. It is also one of the main fronts in military operations against al-Shabab.
The speaker election comes amid heightened political tension between the federal government and opposition groups over the electoral system, constitutional amendments and Somalia’s power-sharing structure.