LAS ANOD(SD) — A political dispute has reportedly emerged between Northeastern Somali Regional State President Abdikadir Ahmed Aw Ali Firdhiye and Vice President Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril over the appointment of five members to fill vacant seats in the regional parliament.

The disagreement centers on who has the authority to select replacement lawmakers after five parliamentary seats became vacant. According to reports, four of the former lawmakers have defected to Somaliland, raising questions about political representation and the procedure for filling the vacancies.

Reports from the administration indicate that Firdhiye and Jibril hold differing views on who should oversee the selection process. The vice president is reportedly seeking a prominent role in filling the seats, arguing that the vacancies concern representatives from the Sanag region, from which he also originates. Firdhiye, meanwhile, is said to have insisted on selecting the replacements himself.

The dispute reportedly intensified during a parliamentary session on Sunday after five new members were approved, allegedly from a list put forward by the president. The proceedings are said to have triggered disagreements over the selection process and the authority under which the appointments were made. However, independent confirmation of the precise circumstances surrounding the session remains limited.

Jibril subsequently expressed concern in a post on his Facebook page, indicating that the manner in which the decision was handled was unlikely to produce a positive outcome. His comments appeared to reflect opposition to the process used to approve the new lawmakers, although a comprehensive official statement detailing his legal objections has not been made available.

It remains unclear which specific provisions of the regional administration’s laws or parliamentary rules govern the replacement of vacant seats. No independently confirmed information has established whether the vice president has formally challenged the appointments or whether the parliament intends to review its decision.

The disagreement comes as the Northeastern administration continues efforts to establish and strengthen its governing institutions. A prolonged dispute between its two most senior officials could complicate decision-making, particularly over parliamentary representation and the division of responsibilities within the administration.

The dispute highlights potential tensions over political authority and regional representation within Northeastern Somalia’s administration. The fact that the vacant seats reportedly concern Sanaag representatives adds a regional dimension to the disagreement, while the competing claims over who should select replacements raise broader questions about institutional procedures and the distribution of power.

The approval of five new members, if confirmed to have taken place as reported, may intensify the disagreement unless the parties reach an understanding on the legal basis for the appointments. The key issue is whether the selection process complied with the applicable parliamentary rules and whether the vice president has a formal role in filling vacant seats.

A transparent review of the relevant laws and procedures, followed by dialogue between the president, vice president and parliamentary leadership, could help clarify the respective powers of the officials and prevent the dispute from undermining the administration’s work.

For now, the details remain based largely on local reports and the vice president’s public reaction. Further official statements or documentation will be needed to establish the legal merits of the competing positions and determine whether the parliamentary appointments will be reconsidered.