LAS ANOD – Mr. Abdikadir Ahmed Ali Firdhiye has been elected as the first President of Somalia’s newly formed Northeastern state following a vote in the city of Las Anod on Saturday. The election, however, was not without controversy, as opposition figures accused the federal government of meddling to ensure his victory.
Firdhiye, the former interim leader of the SSC-Khatumo administration, secured his win after a key opponent, Jamal Mohamed Hassan, dropped out and transferred his votes to him. This move eliminated Firdhiye’s main rival, Abdirisaq Khaliif Ahmed, from the race, preventing a second round of voting.
His victory was widely anticipated due to strategic alliances forged during the campaign. In a concurrent election for vice president, Abdirashid Yusuf Jibriil, a poet and former speaker of the Puntland Parliament, emerged as the likely winner. Jibriil is considered a close political ally of Firdhiye.
The election has been marred by allegations of interference from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). Opposition candidates have publicly accused the government of abandoning its neutral role by actively campaigning for Firdhiye and allegedly bribing local lawmakers to secure votes.
“The government’s interference undermines the credibility and transparency of this election and could derail the process of forming a viable administration,” an opposition candidate told local media.
The federal government has not yet responded to these allegations.
This election concludes a months-long process to establish a new regional administration for the Northeastern state, a entity that has been under development in Las Anod since July. The new administration led by Firdhiye now faces the challenge of unifying the region and establishing governance.
