Laascaanood Somalia-The newly formed regional administration in northeastern Somalia, backed by the federal government, has taken a major step forward today by electing a speaker of parliament. Dr. Aden Abdullahi Aw Hassan was elected with 53 votes in a closely contested election held in the city of Lascaanod, defeating his rival, MP Dheeliye, who received 29 votes.

The 83-member parliament is part of the emerging “Northeast State,” a federal entity being established in a strategically significant region long contested by both Puntland and Somaliland. The election of Dr. Aden, a candidate favoured by the federal government in Mogadishu, marks a key milestone in solidifying the new administration’s authority.

The selection of a speaker paves the way for the upcoming election of the region’s president, who is widely expected to emerge from Firdhiye, a stronghold of support for the new administration.

This development is likely to escalate tensions with both Puntland and Somaliland, who have previously claimed authority over the region. Somaliland had maintained control over Lascaanod for a period, but eventually withdrew its forces amid growing local resistance. Puntland, too, had asserted control over the area, but its authority was rejected by local communities, who instead opted to align directly with the federal government.

The creation of this federal administration poses a significant political challenge to both Puntland and Somaliland, as it physically and politically divides their territories.

The move has also raised concerns in the United Arab Emirates, a key backer of both Puntland and Somaliland. Analysts suggest the UAE fears that a federally aligned administration in this region could undermine its influence in the Horn of Africa.

Telegaraf News