Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has been elected Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, after winning 142 votes in Monday’s parliamentary ballot.
His only challenger, lawmaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Omar, received 30 votes with two ballots declared spoiled.
The result gives Nur a decisive victory in the contest to succeed Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), who left the speakership after being elected president of South West State.
Nur now takes charge of the lower house at a politically important point for Somalia’s federal institutions, with parliament facing debates over legislation, constitutional arrangements, executive oversight and relations between the federal government and member states.
The election was conducted under the supervision of Acting Speaker Sacdiya Yasin Haji Samatar as a nine-member election committee, chaired by MP Abdirisaq Omar Mohamed, handled the organisation and administration of the ballot.
Nur, widely known as Jama, enters the speakership after a career spanning diplomacy, national security and government. He graduated in 2015 from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of International Relations. From 2009 to 2016, he worked at Somalia’s embassy in Ankara, first as second secretary and later as first secretary.
He subsequently served as deputy head and acting head of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency before becoming Minister of Justice from October 2020 to December 2021. He later served as Minister of Defence and Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport.
Promises to parliament
In his speech to MPs, Nur used that experience to make the case for his leadership of parliament.
“My experience has given me a deep understanding of the work of government, particularly legislation, administration, security, diplomacy and national development,” he said.
Nur told MPs that he would run the House impartially and serve lawmakers regardless of their political positions. “I promise to be a speaker who serves all members equally,” he said.
His platform focused on five areas: stronger oversight of the executive, faster consideration of important legislation, improved professional and technical capacity within parliament, expanded cooperation with foreign legislatures and better welfare and support for MPs.
He also promised to strengthen parliamentary committees, improve research and legal advisory services, increase the use of technology and establish regular training for MPs and parliamentary staff.
On international relations, he said his diplomatic experience would help expand exchanges and cooperation between Somalia’s parliament and legislatures abroad.
Nur also pledged to improve MPs’ working conditions, including parliamentary facilities, healthcare, security and administrative support. “I believe that the doors of the House should remain open to lawmakers regardless of their political views,” he said.
Nur envisions a parliament that protects the constitution, accelerates legislation and fulfils its national responsibilities.
The vote ends the immediate leadership vacancy created by Madobe’s departure. Nur now assumes one of the most prominent positions in Somalia’s federal political system.
