Madobe Elected South West State President as Sharif Hassan Withdraws Citing Irregularities

BAIDOA – Federal Parliament Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe) has been elected as the new president of South West State, securing a landslide victory in the regional leadership election held in Baidoa. The handover ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Baidoa, where Madobe formally assumed office from interim leader Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi.

The Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced that Madobe received 88 votes in the presidential election, while his sole challenger, Abdiaziz Mohamed Jawari, received one vote. One ballot was declared invalid. Ninety members of the South West House of Representatives attended the election session.

South West State had announced a detailed timetable for the electoral process, with candidates submitting applications for parliamentary leadership positions prior to the presidential vote.

Madobe’s Victory and Pledge for Unity

Speaking after the results were announced, Madobe thanked the lawmakers for their support and pledged to focus on unity, reconciliation, and strengthening democratic governance in the region.

“I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the members of parliament. My priority will be to promote unity among our people, advance reconciliation efforts and build stronger democratic institutions,” Madobe said.

The formal transfer of power came after Madobe was sworn in following his victory. Jibril handed over official documents and responsibilities of the office to the incoming leader, congratulating him on his election and expressing hope that he would carry out his duties effectively.

In his remarks, Madobe thanked the outgoing interim leader for his efforts during the transitional period and pledged to continue initiatives aimed at strengthening peace, promoting development and advancing state-building efforts in South West State.

The NIEBC had earlier confirmed the parliamentary election results, with the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) securing 51 out of 95 seats in the House of Representatives.

Rival Candidate Withdraws Over Alleged Irregularities

Former South West President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, who had been considered one of the strongest candidates, withdrew from the race before the vote. He accused the electoral commission and regional authorities of violating agreements intended to protect ballot secrecy and the integrity of the election.

“The agreements we reached regarding the secrecy of the ballot and the fairness of the electoral process were not honored,” Sharif Hassan stated.

Madobe’s election to a regional executive post means he is expected to lose his position as Speaker of the House of the People under Somalia’s constitutional rules barring the holding of both federal and regional offices simultaneously.

JSP Wins Majority in Parliamentary Elections

The NIEBC officially released the final results of the South West State parliamentary and local council elections, with the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) securing 51 out of 95 seats in the House of Representatives. The NPU association won 14 seats, Karaama obtained 11 seats, SINCAD secured 6 seats, and Tiir won 3 seats. Some other associations secured single seats, while several did not win any.

Elderly citizens led the turnout in the local council elections, with residents lining up outside polling stations from the early hours of the morning. The NIEBC confirmed that more than 376,000 voters were registered for the elections, with 394 parliamentary candidates and 1,297 local council aspirants contesting the seats.

Supreme Court Validates Election Results

The Supreme Court of Somalia has formally approved the final outcomes of the South West State local council and legislative elections, granting full legal authority to the newly elected regional leadership. After a comprehensive submission and review by the NIEBC, the nation’s highest court provided its official approval following a thorough examination of electoral documents.

Political Tensions During the Electoral Process

Despite the successful conclusion of the elections, political tensions remained high during the process. Even before the results were officially released, top presidential contenders had issued strong cautions against possible electoral manipulation.

“Should the South West election results not align with our expectations, we will withdraw and disassociate ourselves from the outcome,” candidate Ilyaas Ali Nuur stated prior to the vote.

Federal-State Relations and Implications

Madobe’s election as leader of one of Somalia’s key federal member states comes at a time when the country is facing significant political challenges. The election is expected to shape South West State’s political direction and its relationship with the Federal Government of Somalia.

The outcome of the presidential election has significant implications not only for the region but for the broader federal system and Somalia’s democratic transition. South West State, encompassing the regions of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle, ranks among Somalia’s most politically significant federal member states and plays a vital role in the nation’s governance and security framework.