Somalia’s new parliament speaker takes office, pledges unity and stronger oversight

Wednesday August 12, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur Jaamac officially assumed office as speaker of Somalia’s House of the People on Wednesday, pledging to strengthen the parliament’s legislative role and uphold its constitutional responsibilities.

Jaamac took over during a handover ceremony at the Speaker and Committees’ headquarters in Villa Hargeisa, attended by First Deputy Speaker Sadia Yasin Haji Samatar, Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow and other parliamentary officials.

In his first remarks as speaker, Jaamac pledged to lead the House with justice, transparency and unity, saying strengthening legislative work and protecting the constitutional role of parliament would be among his priorities.

He also called on lawmakers to work together in the public interest and fulfill the constitutional duties entrusted to them.

“I will lead the House with justice, transparency and unity,” Jaamac said, emphasizing the need to strengthen legislative activities and protect the role of parliament.

Abshirow thanked the parliamentary election committee for overseeing the speaker’s election and praised Sadia for leading the House while serving as acting speaker.

Sadia, for her part, thanked the election committee and stressed the importance of cooperation among lawmakers and maintaining the work of parliament.

Somali lawmakers elected Jaamac as speaker on Monday, replacing Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, who was elected president of South West state.

A total of 174 lawmakers attended the election session in Mogadishu. Jaamac secured 142 votes, defeating fellow candidate Abdulqadir Omar Moallin, who received 30 votes. Two ballots were declared invalid, according to Saadiya, who was serving as acting speaker at the time.

Jaamac previously served as Somalia’s minister of ports and maritime transport. He has also held the positions of defense minister and justice minister and previously worked as a senior adviser to the speaker of the House of the People.

His election comes at a politically sensitive time for Somalia, with parliament facing pressure to strengthen oversight of the executive branch and play a central role in the country’s evolving political and electoral process.