Members of the Hirshabelle State Assembly have re-elected Ali Gudlawe Hussein as president of the regional administration following a vote held in the state capital, Jowhar.
24 October, 2026
A total of 81 lawmakers took part in the election, according to the report.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Mr Gudlawe on his re-election, as well as the newly elected vice-president, Abdifatah Hassan Afrah. The two were elected in Jowhar.
President Hassan Sheikh wished the new leadership success and urged them to effectively carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them.
He stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, state-building and the improvement of public services across Hirshabelle.
The president also praised the electoral process through which the new leadership was chosen, highlighting the importance of strengthening democratic institutions, developing state structures and increasing public participation in Somalia’s political process.
The Hirshabelle election has also faced controversy over the process by which it was conducted, with opposition from sections of the Hiiraan community who argued that the process did not adequately represent the region.
The dispute comes amid wider disagreements over Somalia’s electoral system, with opposition figures accusing the federal government of seeking to extend President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s tenure beyond its scheduled end in May.
The government has rejected such criticisms and maintained that its political and electoral efforts are aimed at strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and political process.
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