Laascaanood (PP News Desk) — In a heavily contested election in Laascaanood, Members of Parliament of the North East State of Somalia yesterday elected Abdulkadir Aw Ali as President for a five-year term. The election of Vice-President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril followed shortly afterwards.
The withdrawal of Abdirisak Khalif from the third round of voting helped secure victory for Aw Ali in Somalia’s newest Federal Member State. Jamal Hassan, another presidential candidate who did not progress to the second round, reportedly endorsed Aw Ali, who had previously led Sool, Sanaag, Cayn and Khaatumo interim administration before a grand conference in Laascaanood formalised the establishment of the state in line with the Provisional Constitution of Somalia.
More than 1,000 delegates from the Sanaag and Haylaan regions attended the conference in Laascaanood, during which MPs were selected. The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, sent a congratulatory message to President Abdulkadir Ahmed Aw Ali and Vice-President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril.
“I wish President Abdulkadir Aw Ali and Vice-President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril success in providing leadership that will consolidate unity of purpose among the people of the North East State and contribute to peace, development and state-building. The Federal Government of Somalia is ready to extend support to the state administration so that, together, we can realise the completion of the federal system,” said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Federal Interior Minister Ali Hosh had overseen the state-building process that culminated in the formation of the North East State of Somalia. The former Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, congratulated the newly elected leaders. Mohamud Khalif Jebiye, Chairman of Sincad, a political party in Puntland, also congratulated President Aw Ali and Vice-President Jibril.
© Puntland Post, 2025