Aden Madobe takes office as Southwest president in Baidoa handover
The ceremony brought together federal and Southwest State officials, representatives of government agencies, politicians, traditional elders and other dignitaries.
Thursday June 11, 2026
Baidoa (AX) — Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe, newly elected president of Somalia’s Southwest State, formally assumed office on Thursday in a handover ceremony held at the presidential palace in Baidoa.
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He succeeds Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, who had been serving as interim leader of the regional administration.
The ceremony brought together federal and Southwest State officials, representatives of government agencies, politicians, traditional elders and other dignitaries.
Jibril transferred official documents and the responsibilities of office to Madobe, congratulating him on his election and wishing him success as he begins his term.
Madobe, in turn, thanked the interim president for steering the region through the transition and said he would continue efforts aimed at peace, development and state-building in Southwest State.
Madobe, who was serving as speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, was elected Southwest president on Wednesday in Baidoa after a vote overshadowed by the withdrawal of a leading challenger amid allegations of irregularities.
The Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission said Madobe secured 88 votes. His opponent, Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari, received one vote, while one ballot was ruled invalid.
Ninety members of the Southwest House of Representatives were present for the election session.
Former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden pulled out of the contest before voting began, accusing the electoral commission and regional authorities of breaking agreements intended to safeguard ballot secrecy and the credibility of the process.
The outcome is expected to influence Southwest State’s political course and its ties with the Federal Government of Somalia.
