Former NISA Deputy Chief elected Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People

Brigadier General Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama has been elected Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, defeating fellow candidate Abdulkadir Omar Maalim (Daada) in a parliamentary vote held in Mogadishu on Monday.

According to the acting Speaker of the House, Sadia Yasin, Jama received 142 votes, while Daada secured 30 votes.

Jama becomes the eighth Speaker of the House of the People since 2000, taking over the leadership of the lower house following the departure of former Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, who was elected president of South West State in June.

In brief remarks following his election, the newly elected Speaker pledged to work toward unifying Parliament and strengthening its ability to address the range of legislative and national issues before it.

Jama brings extensive experience in Somalia’s federal government. He previously served as Deputy Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and held ministerial positions in the Ministries of Justice and Defence. Before his election as Speaker, he was serving as Minister of Ports and Marine Transport.

His election comes as Somalia’s parliament prepares to address a range of major national issues, including legislation, political developments and the country’s broader electoral and state-building agenda.

The new Speaker is expected to play a central role in guiding parliamentary debates and maintaining coordination among lawmakers as the Federal Parliament enters its latest session.

Mustaqbal