Somalia’s contest to elect a new Speaker of the House of the People has intensified after Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali “Dhaay” withdrew from the race under mounting political pressure, leaving a narrowing but increasingly contentious field ahead of the vote.
According to officials familiar with the decision, Dhaay abandoned his candidacy after facing sustained pressure from senior political figures. Sources close to his office said both the Presidency and the Office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre ultimately concluded that they would not back his bid, effectively ending his chances of mounting a viable campaign.
His withdrawal follows failed efforts to persuade another influential contender, State Minister for Interior Saadaat Mohamed Aliyow, to step aside and rally behind the candidate favored by Villa Somalia.
Multiple sources told Somali Stream that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a series of meetings in recent days with Saadaat, seeking to convince him to withdraw from the race. The discussions ended without agreement, with Saadaat insisting he would remain in the contest.
People familiar with the negotiations said the president also enlisted close political allies, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and the outgoing Speaker to intensify efforts this week to persuade Saadaat to abandon his candidacy. Those attempts have so far failed.
Officials in Saadaat’s campaign told Somali Stream they remain confident of victory and intend to stay in the race, setting up what is expected to be a closely watched contest against Villa Somalia’s preferred candidate, Ports and Maritime Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.
The election comes after Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur “Madoobe” vacated the speakership following his inauguration as President of Southwest State on July 6, creating one of the most consequential vacancies in Somalia’s federal leadership.
With Dhaay’s withdrawal, the race has effectively crystallized into a test of political influence between President Hassan Sheikh’s camp and rivals determined to challenge the executive’s preferred choice. The outcome is expected to shape the balance of power within Somalia’s federal institutions and could influence the government’s legislative agenda during a politically sensitive period.
As lobbying intensifies behind closed doors, the contest has become one of the most closely watched political battles in Mogadishu, exposing competing alliances within the governing coalition and highlighting the limits of presidential influence over parliamentary politics.