Jubbaland state of Somalia has announced its first four senators to join the 11th Parliament of Somalia, as the country begins elections for representatives in the Upper House.
Mr Ilyas Bedel Gabbose won first after defeating Mohamed Ahmed Sayid, 55 to 17 votes in an early race on Thursday. In the second seat, incumbent Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag had an easy victory after his opponent Ahmed Mohamed Jama dropped out of the race.
“Congrats to the first 2 senators elected to Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament in 2021, Senators Ilyaas Gabbose and Abdullahi Fartaag, two gentlemen who are highly qualified and capable to hold such an office,” Mursal M Khalif, Jubbaland’s Minister for Planning and International Cooperation, tweeted on Thursday.
In the next round of voting, Abirizak Mohamed Osman and Hassan Iman Iftin were also elected senators.
Jubbaland is the first state to elect senators to the 11thParliament.
President Madobe is expected to issue another letter, stating the names and election schedules for the remaining 4 seats, since Jubbaland like Galmudug, South West and Hirshabelle is allocated 8 seats in the Somalia Federal Upper House. Puntland and Somaliland are allocated 11 seats each, for Somalia to have 54 seats in the Upper House.