Thursday June 11, 2026
Baidoa (HOL) — Newly elected Southwest State President Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe officially took office Thursday during a handover ceremony at the presidential palace in Baidoa.
Madobe took over from Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, who had been leading Southwest State on an interim basis.
Jibril handed over official documents and responsibilities to Madobe, congratulating him on his election and wishing him success in carrying out his duties.
Madobe thanked the interim leader for his work during the transition period and pledged to continue efforts to strengthen peace, development and state-building in Southwest State.
Madobe, who had been serving as speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, was elected Southwest president Wednesday in Baidoa after a vote marked by the withdrawal of a leading rival candidate over alleged irregularities.
The Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission said Madobe received 88 votes. His rival, Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari, received one vote, while one ballot was declared invalid.
Ninety members of the Southwest House of Representatives attended the election session.
Former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden withdrew from the race before the vote, accusing the electoral commission and regional authorities of violating agreements meant to protect ballot secrecy and the integrity of the election.
The election is expected to shape Southwest State’s political direction and its relationship with the Federal Government of Somalia.
