DHUSAMAREB – Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor) has announced that he will withdraw from the upcoming presidential race, following talks with Federal Government officials aimed at resolving differences over the electoral process in the central state.

In an address to the public, Qoor-Qoor acknowledged that recent weeks had seen divergent views between the Federal Government and the Galmudug administration, particularly regarding the approach to elections and the transitional period facing the country.

The Galmudug leader said both sides had ultimately reached an understanding after consultations between officials from the two administrations. He noted that Galmudug is at a similar stage to the rest of the country, requiring a unified approach to developing an agreed electoral framework.

“Galmudug is in the midst of the national transitional period. In recent times, there have been differing views on how the elections should proceed. When it became an issue that could not be addressed uniformly, it required deeper reflection,” Qoor-Qoor said.

He confirmed that he had decided to step back from the race and that he would support the direction set by the Federal Government for the electoral process.

The political standoff in Galmudug had escalated in recent weeks, with rival claims over leadership of the state and federal intervention threatening to destabilise the region. The Federal Government had previously backed a single candidate for the Galmudug presidency, a move that deepened divisions and led to competing political alignments.

Qoor-Qoor to Remain in Office Until Transition

The Galmudug President stated that he would continue to carry out his duties until a new leadership is elected, emphasising that the transfer of power would take place in accordance with established government procedures.

“Galmudug holds a special place in my heart. I have decided to step back from the current process. I will remain in office, and we will continue in an orderly manner. To whomever is elected, I will hand over a united and stable Galmudug,” he said.

The announcement follows a period of tension between Mogadishu and Dhusamareb, which included a dispute over the appointment of Galmudug’s police chief. A Galmudug delegation had previously returned to Mogadishu for talks on an electoral agreement, signalling ongoing efforts to resolve the political impasse.

He urged the various institutions of the Galmudug administration to continue strengthening development, security, and public service efforts to maintain stability and preserve the progress made under his leadership.

Political Agreement and Way Forward

Qoor-Qoor’s announcement appears to bring to a close the political disputes that had emerged between the Federal Government and Galmudug over the electoral process. The Galmudug leader’s decision to step back from the race is expected to ease tensions and allow the electoral process to move forward.

The announcement came after NISA Director Mahad Mohamed Salad visited Dhusamareb for talks with President Qoor-Qoor in June 2026, as political tensions rose between the federal government and the regional administration. The intelligence chief’s visit was viewed as a precursor to an anticipated trip by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to ease disputes over political arrangements and electoral processes in Galmudug.

Galmudug is expected to hold direct elections, as previously announced by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the state’s leadership.