MOGADISHU – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised former Speaker of the House of the People Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, widely known as Aden Madobe, for strengthening parliament and supporting Somalia’s state‑building efforts as the veteran politician prepares to assume his new post as president of South West State.
At a farewell ceremony in Mogadishu attended by senior government officials, lawmakers and political leaders, President Mohamud described parliament as a key institution for protecting the constitution and advancing democratic governance in Somalia. He praised Aden Madobe’s leadership during his tenure as speaker, noting that he played a major role in strengthening cooperation among state institutions and improving the legislature’s performance during a period marked by significant political and constitutional developments.
Madobe was elected president of South West State in a landslide victory on June 10, 2026, securing 88 votes in the regional leadership election held in Baidoa. His 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.
A Transition at a Critical Moment
The event comes at a critical time for Somalia, as the country navigates debate over constitutional amendments and proposed electoral reforms aimed at establishing a one‑person, one‑vote system after decades of indirect elections based on clan power‑sharing. Speaking to those gathered, President Mohamud said Somalia had entered what he described as a constitutional electoral process, reflecting the country’s growing democratic maturity and its commitment to widening public participation in governance.
The president’s comments are expected to carry weight in Somalia’s ongoing political debate, where the federal government has promoted electoral reform as a path toward democratization, while some opposition groups and regional leaders have questioned the process and timing of the proposed changes. Madobe’s designation as the sole candidate for the South West presidency had previously stirred controversy, with critics questioning the government’s democratic credentials and the lack of internal party competition.
Madobe’s Political Journey and South West State Leadership
A seasoned political figure, Aden Madobe has held several senior positions in Somalia’s government over the past two decades, including multiple terms as speaker of parliament. His arrival in Baidoa in April 2026 signaled the start of his high‑stakes bid for the regional presidency, with political insiders suggesting that Villa Somalia was positioning him as its preferred candidate to lead the South West administration.
His return to regional leadership is expected to keep him central to Somalia’s political scene. Since taking office, Madobe has led security meetings in Baidoa, approving new steps to strengthen security, including a ban on soldiers carrying weapons in the city without official uniforms and limits on military vehicle movements.
Federal‑Regional Relations and the Road Ahead
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, cabinet ministers, members of parliament and other dignitaries attended the farewell event, where speakers honored Aden Madobe’s service and wished him success in leading South West State. The event also underscored the close relationship between Somalia’s federal institutions and regional administrations as the country faces major decisions on governance, security and the future direction of its electoral system.
Madobe’s exit from the speakership follows his recent election as president of South West State, one of Somalia’s federal member states. His election brought an end to a transitional administration that had overseen preparations for the state’s electoral process. As South West State enters a new phase of governance under Madobe’s leadership, the region’s relationship with the federal government will remain a key factor in Somalia’s broader political stability.
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