Saturday August 30, 2025
Las Anod (HOL) — Lawmakers of Somalia's newly formed Northeastern state are set to elect a president and vice president on Saturday in Las Anod, marking a critical step in the region’s political transition.
Ten candidates — five for president and five for vice president — have been lobbying lawmakers since Friday night, with reports indicating that contenders have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in efforts to secure votes.
Abdikadir Ahmed Ali Firdhiye, the former interim leader of SSC-Khatumo, is widely seen as a frontrunner in the race. Sources suggest that other candidates are considering forming alliances in the final round to block Firdhiye’s victory if he advances.
Presidential candidates:
• Abdikadir Ahmed Ali Firdhiye
• Rashid Farah Mohamud
• Abdirisaq Khaliif Ahmed
• Jamaal Mohamed Hassan
• Mohamud Yusuf Hassan
Vice-presidential candidates:
• Omar Dahir Hassan
• Abdirashid Yusuf Jibriil
• Abdirisaq Mohamed Jama
• Abdisatar Sheikh Osman Omar
• Mohamed Abdi Bulaale
Opposition candidates have accused the Federal Government of Somalia of abandoning neutrality and campaigning for Firdhiye, claiming that government operatives are bribing lawmakers to secure his win.
“The government’s interference undermines the credibility and transparency of this election and could derail the process of forming a viable administration,” one candidate told local media.
The federal government has not commented on the allegations.