By 5 Magazine…
At a time when Somalia’s political leaders are increasingly divided, Liban Ahmed Hassan’s election as Galmudug president has drawn an unusually broad show of support from the country’s highest political offices, former leaders and opposition figures, raising hopes that he could emerge as a bridge between competing political camps.
Somalia is currently navigating a difficult political period, characterized by deep divisions and limited consensus among the country’s competing political actors. Beyond matters of shared national interest, such as security, humanitarian concerns and the general welfare of citizens, reaching agreement on major political questions has become increasingly challenging.
Against this backdrop, the recent election of Liban Ahmed Hassan as President of Galmudug State has emerged as an unusual political development, attracting an exceptionally broad response from across Somalia’s political establishment.
From the country’s highest government offices to former prime ministers, former regional presidents and prominent opposition figures, political leaders from different camps have come forward to congratulate the new Galmudug president. Their messages have gone beyond routine expressions of goodwill, with several highlighting his leadership qualities, capacity for reconciliation and potential to advance unity and stability.
At a time when the country’s political leadership is struggling to find common ground on fundamental questions about governance and the future of Somalia’s electoral process, the widespread acceptance of Liban’s election stands out.
The significance of this response lies not only in the number of prominent figures who have congratulated him, but also in the political diversity they represent. Leaders who have often found themselves on opposing sides of national debates have, on this occasion, expressed a shared sense of optimism about the new leadership in Galmudug.
For Liban, this presents an opportunity that extends beyond the presidency of a federal member state. It could position him as a credible bridge between competing political interests and a figure capable of encouraging dialogue at a time when Somalia needs it most.
Endorsement from the Highest Office
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was among the first senior leaders to congratulate Liban Ahmed Hassan on his election, alongside the newly elected Galmudug Deputy Leader, Abdiwali Ibrahim Garyare.
In his message, the President emphasized the responsibilities awaiting the new administration, particularly the need to prioritize security, resolve internal conflicts, strengthen social cohesion, promote reconciliation and improve public services and infrastructure.
His remarks underscored the importance of leadership that places the welfare of citizens and the stability of the state at the centre of its priorities.
“I congratulate the new Leader of Galmudug State, Honourable Liibaan Ahmed Hassan, and the Deputy Leader, Honourable Abdiwali Ibrahim Garyare, who were elected today by members of the Galmudug House of Representatives. I pray to Allah to ease the heavy responsibility entrusted to the newly elected leadership, and I urge them to give priority to maintaining security, resolving internal conflicts, strengthening social unity, promoting reconciliation, and developing economic infrastructure and public services,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
The President’s message carries particular significance given the current political environment, in which relations between the Federal Government, regional administrations and opposition groups have faced considerable strain.
His emphasis on reconciliation and social cohesion reflects the broader responsibilities of the new administration, while also placing Liban’s presidency within the wider national effort to strengthen stability and cooperation.
The endorsement from the country’s highest office was followed by equally significant messages from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, further demonstrating the attention surrounding the leadership transition in Galmudug.
The Prime Minister Describes It as a Historic Victory
Prime Minister Hamza Abd described the electoral success as a historic victory. In his message, the Prime Minister prayed for Allah’s guidance and support as the newly elected leaders assume the responsibilities entrusted to them by the people of Galmudug.
“I congratulate the Leader and Deputy Leader of Galmudug State, Honourable Liibaan Ahmed Hassan and Abdiwali Ibrahim Garyare, who achieved a historic victory in the Galmudug electoral contest. I pray to Allah to bless them with the responsibility they have been elected to undertake and to support them in fulfilling the national duties before them, which they have been entrusted with by the Somali people, particularly the people of Galmudug State,” Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said.
A Democratic Example for Somalia
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama also joined the senior government officials in congratulating the new Galmudug leadership. However, his message placed particular emphasis on the role played by the people of Galmudug in the electoral process.
He commended residents for their peaceful and democratic participation in the one-person, one-vote electoral process, which progressed from the district level to the election of members of the Galmudug State House of Representatives.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the people of Galmudug had demonstrated the aspirations of Somalis to regain the power to elect their leaders directly and participate in determining their own development priorities.
“I congratulate the new Leader of Galmudug State, Honourable Liibaan Ahmed Hassan. I am confident that Leader Liibaan will lead Galmudug towards development and unity, and I wish him success and pray that Allah makes it easier for him to discharge the great responsibility he has been elected to undertake. I also commend the people of Galmudug for their peaceful and democratic participation in the one-person, one-vote electoral process, from the district level to the election of members of the State House of Representatives. The people of Galmudug have set an example of the aspirations of the Somali people to have the power to elect their leaders returned to their own hands and to participate in determining their development,” Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama said.
Opposition Figures Join the Congratulations
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the response to Liban’s election has been the participation of prominent opposition figures and former government leaders, particularly at a time when political relations between the Federal Government and its opponents remain strained.
Former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble was among those who extended their congratulations to the newly elected president, wishing him success in carrying the responsibilities of his new office.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Liibaan Ahmed Hassan, who was elected today as the new President of Galmudug. I pray that Allah makes the heavy responsibility he has taken on easier for him,” Roble said.
Another prominent figure to welcome Liban’s election was Abdikarim Hussein Guled, a former President of Galmudug and senior member of the Heybad Qaran Alliance.
Guled offered a particularly personal assessment of the newly elected president, describing him as an intelligent, balanced, and capable leader with a deep understanding of the people and the region he has been elected to govern.
Having known Liban for many years and worked alongside him, Guled expressed confidence in his leadership abilities and described him as the right person to guide Galmudug through its current challenges.
“Congratulations to Honourable Liibaan Ahmed Hassan, whom the Galmudug Parliament elected today as President of Galmudug State. President Liibaan is someone I know very well and with whom I have worked. I know him to be an intelligent, balanced, mature and capable leader, a man of substance who has a thorough understanding of the people and the region he has been elected to lead. I believe he is the leader Galmudug needs at this difficult juncture to overcome its challenges and achieve development and stability,” Guled said.
Former President of South West State Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden Issak also welcomed the election, praising the peaceful manner in which the process was conducted. He described the outcome as evidence of Galmudug’s commitment to peace and order, while wishing the new leadership success in strengthening unity, stability and inclusive governance.
“I extend my warm congratulations and appreciation to Honourable Liibaan Ahmed Hassan, who has been elected as the new Leader of Galmudug State. I pray to Almighty Allah to make the responsibility entrusted to him easier and to support him in developing Galmudug, strengthening peace, social unity and inclusive governance. This election, which was conducted peacefully, demonstrates that Galmudug is a home of peace and order,” Sharif Hassan said.
The congratulations also came from Abdirahman Odawaa, a member of Somalia’s House of the People and an active opposition figure who previously belonged to the inner political circles of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Odawaa described Liban as a leader with the ability, vision, and personal qualities necessary to bring people together, highlighting his potential contribution to strengthening unity and understanding within Galmudug.
“I congratulate the new President of Galmudug State, Honourable Liibaan Ahmed Hassan. Liibaan Ahmed Hassan is someone I know well, and I can describe him as a person with the ability, vision and capacity to bring people together. I believe he can play a significant role in strengthening unity, solidarity and mutual understanding among the people of Galmudug,” Odawaa said.
Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke also joined the list of prominent figures congratulating Liban Ahmed Hassan, welcoming the peaceful election conducted in Dhusamareeb and expressing his appreciation for the electoral process.
Taken together, the messages from these leaders represent an unusually broad political response to a regional leadership election. They bring together serving government officials, former prime ministers, former regional presidents and opposition figures, many of whom occupy different positions within Somalia’s political landscape.
A Rare Moment of Political Convergence
Political analysts view the broad response to Liban’s election as a positive development, particularly given the divisions currently affecting Somalia’s political establishment. The fact that leaders from different political camps have publicly welcomed his election has raised expectations that he could help bring competing sides closer together and create an opportunity to break the political deadlock that has affected national dialogue.
At a time when reaching consensus on major political questions has become increasingly difficult, the new Galmudug president could occupy an important position in facilitating communication between the Federal Government, opposition groups and regional administrations.
His appeal across different political circles could provide an opening for renewed engagement, particularly on the contentious question of Somalia’s electoral future.
The country needs a political process that brings the relevant stakeholders together and produces an outcome that enjoys broad acceptance among political leaders and the wider population. Achieving such an agreement requires more than public declarations of unity; it demands trust, consultation and a willingness to accommodate differing positions.
Liban’s election has created an unusual moment in which political figures who often find themselves on opposing sides have expressed a shared willingness to welcome his leadership.
For analysts, this presents an opportunity worth building upon. If the goodwill surrounding his election can be sustained and translated into meaningful engagement, Liban could help bring political actors closer, encourage dialogue and contribute to breaking the deadlock that continues to challenge Somalia’s political process.
His potential role, however, will depend on his ability to maintain independence, engage all sides fairly and balance national political responsibilities with the expectations of the people of Galmudug.
National Responsibility
The widespread congratulations following Liban Ahmed Hassan’s election offer him a strong political starting point. Few regional leadership transitions attract such a diverse collection of public endorsements from across the country’s political establishment.
But the significance of this moment will ultimately depend on what follows. The new president will need to demonstrate that the confidence expressed by these leaders can translate into constructive political relationships and practical cooperation. He will also have to ensure that his engagement in national politics does not overshadow the immediate responsibilities of governing Galmudug.
