Madobe secures 88 votes in Baidoa election as Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden rejects the process, citing alleged irregularities.
SOUTH WEST STATE , SOMALIA – Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe has been elected President of South West State Somalia after securing a decisive victory in the regional parliamentary election held in Baidoa, receiving 88 votes out of 90 cast by lawmakers.
The election, held on Wednesday, saw former South West State leader Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden reject the outcome, alleging that the process was marred by irregularities and failed to meet the required standards of a credible election.
According to the South West State parliament leadership, 90 lawmakers participated in the vote. Madobe received 88 votes, while his challenger Abdiaziz Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari secured one vote, with one ballot declared invalid.
The victory returns Sheikh Aden Madobe to the leadership of South West State, where he will now oversee the administration during a period of continued political and development challenges.
PRESIDENT HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD CONGRATULATES MADOBE
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Madobe on his election, describing the vote as a step forward in Somalia’s democratic process.
In his message, the President urged the newly elected South West State leader to prioritise unity, peace, development and state-building efforts.
President Mohamud called on Madobe to work towards bringing communities together and strengthening cooperation between the regional administration and federal government.
SHARIF HASSAN REJECTS ELECTION OUTCOME
However, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, who was among the candidates seeking the presidency, rejected the results and questioned the credibility of the election process.
“There was no contest, and no election took place,” Aden said, claiming that candidates were denied an opportunity to participate in a genuine democratic competition.
He accused organisers of failing to uphold agreements reached with candidates and alleged that pressure influenced the process.
Sharif Hassan said he had expected a free and fair election but argued that the Baidoa vote did not meet the required standards.
ELECTION FOLLOWED DAYS OF POLITICAL TENSIONS
The election came after days of disagreements surrounding the electoral process, with candidates raising concerns over transparency, ballot secrecy, security arrangements and the involvement of federal authorities.
The contest attracted close attention from Somalia’s federal government, political leaders and international partners monitoring developments in South West State.
With his election confirmed, Sheikh Aden Madobe now faces the task of consolidating leadership, addressing political divisions and advancing development priorities in the region.
