By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, 10 June 2026 – Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe was elected President of South West State on wednesday , winning 88 votes in Baidoa, as former regional leader Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden rejected the process
The South West State parliament leadership said 90 lawmakers participated in the polls. Madobe received 88 votes, while rival candidate Abdiaziz Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari received one vote. One ballot was declared invalid.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Madobe, saying the election opened a new chapter in Somalia’s democratic process.
In a statement, the president urged the newly elected leader to focus on uniting communities in South West State and working for peace, development and state-building.
However, Sharif Hassan Aden, one of Madobe's rivals, rejected the election, saying the process was full of irregularities.
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“There was no contest, and no election took place,” Aden said, accusing election organisers of blocking a genuine race.
He said he had hoped the election would be free and fair, adding that Baidoa vote did not meet the required standard.
Aden also accused the election commission of failing to uphold earlier agreements with candidates, saying “pressure had been brought to bear on the process.”
The vote came after days of dispute over the election process, with candidates raising concerns about transparency, ballot secrecy, security arrangements and the role of federal officials.
The election was closely followed by federal authorities, politicians and international partners.