Somali Senators Re-elect Abdi Hashi As Speaker Of The Upper House

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Apr 26-The Senate of the Federal Republic of Somalia has re-elected veteran lawmaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi as the speaker of the upper House of Parliament in Mogadishu on Tuesday.

The lawmaker who will steer the house leadership for the next four years defeated his rival Salah Jama, the Constitutional Affairs Minister, by receiving 28 of the 54 ballots cast in the first round of voting.

Mr. Hashi, a fierce critic of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was elected under enhanced security at the Afisioni tent near Mogadishu’s International Airport.

Hashi and Salah both hail from the breakaway region of Somaliland, and in line with the Somali pactum clan power sharing arrangements in the country, Somaliland leaders are reserved for the Speaker of the Upper House and the Deputy Prime Minister Position.

The Fifty four legislators who participated in the voting also elected two deputy speakers who will help Mr. Hashi in conducting House business as per the country’s interim constitution.

Senator Ali Sha’ban Ibrahim has been elected as the first Deputy Speaker of Somalia’s Upper House (The Senate), trouncing his closest rival Abdihakim Maalim Ahmed by three votes.

“This is a proud day for me and I pledge to fulfill my duties to the Somali people with passion, commitment and energy,” said Senator Ibrahim after emerging victorious.

He added, “Serving Somalia and our people is my only objective.”

Senator Abdullahi Ali Hirsi ‘Timacadde’ has been elected as the second deputy speaker of the upper house of the legislature after garnering a total of 30 votes.

On Wednesday, the Somali parliament will elect the Speaker of Somalia’s National Assembly known as the House of the People, setting the stage for the election of the President who will be elected later by members of both Houses.

The electoral process in Somalia has been slow and uneven, with Somali leaders, the President and the Prime Minister disagreeing on the conduct of the much-delayed polls.