MOGADISHU, Somalia (Hornpost) — Somalia’s House of the People has elected Abdikadir Mohamed Nur (Jama) as Speaker after securing a decisive parliamentary victory, marking a significant development in the country’s political landscape as federal institutions prepare to advance key legislative priorities.
Nur won 142 votes, defeating rival candidate Abdikadir Omar Moallin, who received 30 votes, according to the official parliamentary results.
Following his election, the new Speaker pledged to lead the House with a focus on unity and institutional stability.
“I will lead the House of the People with a policy of stability and unity,” Abdikadir Mohamed Nur said after the vote.
Prime Minister Congratulates New Speaker
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre congratulated Nur on his election, saying the parliamentary vote reflected the confidence placed in him by lawmakers.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the new Speaker would fulfill his constitutional responsibilities with professionalism and strengthen the legislative role of Somalia’s Federal Parliament. He also emphasized the importance of close cooperation between the executive and legislative branches to accelerate national reform and state-building efforts.
President Hassan Sheikh Welcomes Election
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also congratulated the newly elected Speaker, urging him to lead the House in accordance with the Constitution while prioritizing national unity, consultation, and the public interest.
The president highlighted the House of the People’s central role in legislation, government oversight, and Somalia’s broader state-building process.
Upper House Speaker Calls for Institutional Continuity
Upper House Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi welcomed the election and encouraged the new leadership of the House to continue advancing legislative reforms and supporting Somalia’s constitutional and institutional development.
He also praised the cooperation that existed with the previous Speaker in overseeing legislation and strengthening parliamentary oversight.
Political Background
Before becoming Speaker, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur (Jama) served as Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport. He previously held the post of Minister of Defense, making him one of the country’s most prominent younger political figures.
Nur is widely regarded as a close political ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Political analysts have also noted his close working relationship with Türkiye, reflecting Ankara’s long-standing security and development partnership with Somalia.
During his tenure as defense minister, his leadership attracted international attention amid Somalia’s evolving security partnerships. Some observers viewed Türkiye’s defense cooperation with Somalia as increasingly influential, while the United States at times expressed concerns over aspects of Somalia’s security policies. However, neither government has publicly linked those concerns directly to Nur’s election as Speaker.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s opposition coalition, the Somalia Salvation Council, alleged that Türkiye and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud influenced the parliamentary leadership contest. Those allegations have not been independently verified, and neither the Somali government nor Turkish authorities have publicly responded to the claims.
Analysis
Abdikadir Mohamed Nur’s election strengthens President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s influence within Somalia’s federal institutions at a time when the government is pursuing constitutional reforms, security sector restructuring, and preparations for future elections.
As Speaker, Nur will oversee the legislative agenda and parliamentary debates on key national issues, making the position one of the most influential offices in Somalia’s political system. His leadership is expected to shape relations between Parliament and the executive while influencing legislation on governance, security, and federal reforms in the coming months.
Prepared by:
Horn Post Staff
