Somalia: MPs elect new speaker amid growing political uncertainty

Somalia’s newly elected parliament speaker Abdulkadir Muhammed Nur poses for a photo in front of the Somali flag in this file photo. (AA Photo)

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali lawmakers on Monday elected Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jaamac as speaker of the House of the People, giving him 142 votes in a contentious contest for Lower House speaker held in the capital.

Acting Speaker Sadia Yasin Haji Samatar announced the results. Nur defeated fellow candidate Abdulkadir Omar Maalim, who received 30 votes out of 171 lawmakers who cast ballots.

The election was held by a parliament whose 4-year term expired in April 2026. The legislature has continued to operate in a caretaker capacity amid a broader political dispute over Somalia’s electoral process.

The vote was also accompanied by allegations from opposition figures over how Nur obtained his parliamentary seat. They accused him of taking the seat from the previous lawmaker through force and outside the legal process, allegations that raised questions about the conduct and independence of the political process.

Nur’s candidacy also drew allegations that he was backed by Villa Somalia, the state house, and Turkey. He succeeds Sheikh Adan Madobe, who left the speakership after becoming leader of Southwest State at gunpoint in early June of this year.

Nur has served as minister of ports and maritime transport, a position he held since March 2025 before becoming the house speaker today. Nur was born in Baidoa, Somalia, on Oct. 21, 1985. 

GAROWE ONLINE