BAIDOA, SOMALIA (SONNA) — The House of Representatives of the South West State of Somalia has officially elected Mahad Mohamed Sheikh Hassan as its new Speaker following a structured legislative ballot conducted in the regional parliament hall in Baidoa. The final outcome of the vote was formally declared by the Interim Speaker of the House, marking the completion of a vital phase in the state’s governance framework.
Mahad Mohamed Sheikh Hassan secured a decisive victory by capturing 70 votes from the regional lawmakers present and voting. His challenger, Abdihakim Fiqi, a prominent political figure, garnered 25 votes during the balloting process. The clear margin of victory establishes a solid operational mandate for the incoming legislative leadership as the regional administration moves to advance its regulatory, economic, and development agendas.
The successful completion of the parliamentary election is viewed by regional analysts as a vital step toward long-term political predictability in the interim capital of South West State, coming shortly after security forces successfully contained a localized militia disturbance in the city. The newly elected Speaker will assume immediate responsibility for directing legislative sessions, managing institutional alignment with the Federal Government of Somalia, and steering regional stabilization laws. Security agencies in Baidoa confirmed that strict perimeters surrounding the government quarter were maintained throughout the voting and tabulation processes, ensuring an orderly transition of legislative authority.
