HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw Ali (Firdhiye) was elected president of the newly-formed Northeastern State of Somalia in a heavily contested election held on Saturday in the regional capital, Lasanod.
Firdhiye, leader of the SSC-Khatumo authorities, who have governed Lasanod and surrounding towns in Sool region since clan militias expelled Somaliland troops, won the presidency with 66 votes. His closest rival, Abdirizak Khalif, the former speaker of the Somaliland parliament, received 18 votes.
The election, which saw five candidates contest the top position, culminated in a second-round vote between Firdhiye and Khalif. Firdhiye’s victory has reinforced the state’s alignment with Somalia’s federal government, as he is a member of the newly established Justice and Prosperity Party (JSP) of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Ahead of the election, Firdhiye emphasized his commitment to strengthening ties between the Northeastern State and Somalia’s federal government, pledging to cooperate more dynamically with Mogadishu. He also vowed to reclaim Erigavo, the capital of Sanaag region, a contentious move that could reignite long-standing tensions with Somaliland. The conflict between authorities in Lasanod and Somaliland has resulted in thousands of deaths in recent years.
Firdhiye’s election is seen as a significant blow to both Somaliland and Puntland, which had opposed the formation of the Northeastern State due to territorial claims overlapping with their own jurisdictions. However, the state’s strong backing from Mogadishu adds further complexity to prospects for dialogue between Somalia’s federal government and the two regional administrations.
In addition to Firdhiye’s win, Abdirashid Jibril Yusuf was elected as deputy president of the Northeastern State, receiving 65 votes. Notably, his opponents did not attend the election proceedings.
Firdhiye’s election comes at a time of increased tensions in the region, with the Northeastern State’s relationship with both Somaliland and Puntland remaining a key challenge for Somalia’s broader political landscape.
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