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Lawmakers in Somalia’s newly established Northeastern state elected Dr. Adan Abdullahi Aw Hassan as the first Speaker of the regional parliament on Saturday, marking a major step forward in the process of building the new federal member state.
Dr. Adan Abdullahi won the seat with 53 votes, defeating his rival, Abdiqafaar Dheeliye, who secured 29 votes. One ballot was declared invalid, according to the regional electoral commission. Following the announcement, Somalia’s federal leadership congratulated him, describing the victory as a milestone in the state-building journey.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a statement welcoming the outcome and expressing his full support for the new Speaker. “I hope that God will make it easy for the new Speaker to fulfill the heavy responsibility entrusted to him,” the President said. “I believe he will play a leading role in ensuring state-building, completing the electoral process, and upholding the rule of law.”
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre also praised the lawmakers for what he called an “outstanding performance,” noting that their decision reflected unity and determination to move forward. He encouraged the Speaker and members of parliament to focus on building strong institutions that could help stabilize the region.
In addition to the Speaker’s election, MP Amran Ahmed Hassan was chosen as the first deputy speaker, completing the leadership structure of the new assembly. The next step, according to the Federal Government of Somalia, will be the election of a regional president — a process that will finalize the formal establishment of the Northeastern state.
The current regional president, Firdhiye, who is seen as enjoying strong backing from the federal government in Mogadishu, is campaigning to keep his seat. His re-election bid is expected to shape the political direction of the new administration, especially as it tries to gain legitimacy and authority both locally and nationally.
Despite the progress, the emerging state faces significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the contested control of Sanaag Bari, a region that remains under the authority of Puntland. Northeastern state officials have declared their intention to assert administrative control over the area, but this has been met with resistance from both Puntland and local clan elders.
Earlier this week, senior leaders of the Warsangeli clan — one of the main clans in the Sanaag region — publicly rejected the formation of the Northeastern state, saying it undermines their historical ties to Puntland. Their statement was followed by the deployment of additional Puntland troops into the region, raising fears of a potential armed confrontation between the two administrations.
Analysts warn that the political dispute could escalate if not handled carefully. While the federal government has emphasized its support for the state-building process, it has also urged local leaders to avoid military confrontation and instead pursue dialogue to resolve territorial disputes.
Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial for the Northeastern state as it seeks to establish itself amid competing claims, clan interests, and pressure from Puntland. The election of the Speaker has provided a sense of political momentum, but stability will depend largely on how the new leadership manages relations with federal authorities, neighboring states, and local communities.
For now, the election of Dr. Adan Abdullahi Aw Hassan is being seen as a hopeful sign. Supporters believe his background and leadership skills will help guide the fragile state through its early challenges. But with clan divisions and regional rivalries still unresolved, the road ahead remains uncertain.