Somali MPs to Elect New Speaker Today as Two Candidates Vie for Top Parliamentary Post

MOGADISHU — Members of the House of the People are set to elect a new Speaker on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Villa Hargeysa in Mogadishu, filling the vacancy left by Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe), who resigned after being elected President of South West State .

The election follows the official certification of two candidates by the parliamentary election committee on August 8, 2026. The contenders are Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur (Jaamac), who currently serves as Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, and Abdulqadir Omar Macallin (Daada) .

Final preparations for the vote were completed on Sunday, with Acting Speaker and First Deputy Speaker Sadia Yasin Haji Samatar leading an inspection of the venue alongside Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, members of the election committee, and Secretary-General Abdirahman Mohamed Abdulle Jaabiri .

The election committee had earlier released the official timetable, with candidate registration opening on August 5 and closing on August 6, followed by the issuance of candidate certificates on August 8, and the election itself set for August 10.

Candidates and Registration Process

Under the election rules, candidates must be current members of the House of the People, at least 35 years of age, and meet several other requirements, including declaring their assets and renouncing any other nationality if elected. The registration fee is set at $30,000 for male candidates and $15,000 for female candidates, non-refundable, with payments to be made to account number 127 at the Central Bank of Somalia.

A total of nine MPs had been appointed to the election committee, which elected MP Abdirizak Omar Mohamed as its chairman during its inaugural meeting on August 3, 2026. The committee was appointed by Acting Speaker Sacdiya Yaasin Haaji Samatar to oversee the election, marking the first time a woman has presided over the process in the history of Somalia’s parliament.

The electoral committee has been finalising all logistical and procedural arrangements ahead of the vote, ensuring the election is held in an orderly and secure environment.

Political Context and Significance

The Speaker election is taking place at a politically charged moment for Somalia’s federal institutions. The position has been vacant since Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe) resigned to become President of South West State, with Acting Speaker Sacdiya Yaasin Haaji Samatar serving in the interim. She is the first woman to hold the position in Somalia’s parliamentary history.

The race for the speakership has drawn significant interest. State Minister for Interior Saadad Mohamed Nur (Caliyow) resigned from his cabinet post to pursue the position, while Villa Somalia has reportedly backed Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Mohamed Jaamac for the role.

Both certified candidates, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur and Abdulqadir Omar Macallin, are now in a position to contest the election. The new Speaker will play a pivotal role in guiding Parliament as it considers key legislation on constitutional reform, elections, security, and governance.

Critical Note

While the certification of two candidates marks a procedural step forward in the Speaker election, the process has raised concerns about accessibility and inclusivity. The registration fee of $30,000 for male candidates and $15,000 for female candidates remains prohibitive, effectively excluding many qualified MPs from contesting and reinforcing the perception that political leadership in Somalia is reserved for the wealthy or those with access to external funding. The rushed timeline, with registration opening on August 5 and the election set for August 10, leaves little room for genuine campaign engagement or deliberation. Furthermore, the 4.5 clan-based power-sharing formula restricts the Speaker position to the Rahanweyn clan, perpetuating a system that prioritises clan identity over merit and competence (The 4.5 power sharing formula). The election committee’s procedures, while transparent on paper, risk being perceived as a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine democratic contest. The international community would be well advised to scrutinize this process and to press for reforms that ensure parliamentary leadership elections are truly competitive, accessible, and reflective of the will of the House rather than predetermined by financial, clan, and political gatekeepers.