Senior Somali federal officials and regional leaders gathered in Dhuusamareeb on Thursday for the inauguration of Galmudug's newly elected president, Liibaan Ahmed Hassan. The ceremony follows a contested electoral process that included a Supreme Court-ordered rerun. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre arrived in the Galmudug capital alongside leaders of Hirshabelle, South West, and North Eastern regional states.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was also expected to attend, with presidential security personnel already deployed in the city. Delegations from the federal government, regional administrations, and foreign missions have been arriving in Dhuusamareeb in recent days as authorities prepared for the ceremony. Liibaan formally took over from outgoing Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye, known as Qoorqoor, during a handover ceremony on Wednesday.
Liibaan was elected on October 22 after securing 72 of 89 votes in the Galmudug parliament. His rival, Abdulkadir Abdullahi Diriye of the Sincad political organization, received 14 votes, while three ballots were declared invalid. His Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) won 67 of the assembly's 89 seats in a September 30 parliamentary election, giving the party a commanding majority in the regional legislature.
The leadership election followed months of legal and political disputes. Somalia's Supreme Court annulled the results of Galmudug's July 30 parliamentary election after finding violations of constitutional and electoral procedures and ordered a fresh vote. The rerun was held on September 30, although Towfiiq, the political organization whose court challenge led to the original results being overturned, was excluded from participating.
Liibaan has pledged to prioritize security, reconciliation, stronger public institutions, and basic services, while intensifying military operations against al-Shabab in areas where the militant group remains active. Galmudug occupies a strategically important stretch of central Somalia and has been a major battleground in government operations against al-Shabab.
The inauguration brings together federal and regional leaders at a time of wider disagreements over constitutional reform, federal power-sharing, elections, and security responsibilities. The gathering could provide opportunities for informal political discussions beyond the inauguration ceremony, although no separate talks have been formally announced.
The inauguration of Liibaan Ahmed Hassan marks a significant development in Somalia's ongoing efforts to stabilize and rebuild. As the country continues to face challenges from al-Shabab and other security threats, the new administration will be expected to address these issues while also working to improve living conditions and governance in the region.
Key points
- Liibaan Ahmed Hassan was elected as the new president of Galmudug on October 22.
- The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Somali federal officials and regional leaders.
- Liibaan has pledged to prioritize security, reconciliation, and stronger public institutions in his administration.
