Lawmakers in Somalia’s semi-autonomous northern state of Puntland selected Abdirisakh Ahmed Said Farah as its new speaker on Thursday following an election in Garowe city.
Sixty-six regional parliamentarians participated in the election, which took place after several days of political tensions in Puntland.
Abdirisakh secured 37 votes in the first round of the election, forcing the three other candidates to withdraw. The election did not proceed to a second round, as the first candidate received the most votes.
MP Abdirashid Yussuf Jibril received eight votes, MP Mohamed Farah Mohamed Gabyow received ten votes, and MP Mursal Mohamud Abdi gathered ten votes.
The new speaker, a former chairman of the Puntland electoral committee, is considered to be one of the closest associates of the incumbent President Deni. Despite opposition candidates, supported the new speaker.
The election of the speaker’s deputies will take place soon.
