Tuesday March 4, 2025
Dhusamareb (HOL) – Businessman Mohamed Abdi Hassan, widely known as Afweyne, has been elected to Somali parliamentary seat HOP 248 following an election held in Dhusamareb on Tuesday.
According to the electoral commission, Afweyne secured 80 votes, while his rival, Sahro Hassan Abduule, received 10 votes.
The seat was previously held by Saadaq Omar Hassan (Saadaq Joon), who lost his position in the House of the People after being appointed Deputy Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
"I am deeply grateful to the MPs, ministers, and the electoral commission. I pledge to serve diligently in this role, which the people I represent have entrusted to me. I am honored by their confidence in me," said Mohamed Abdi Hassan Afweyne following his victory.
Afweyne's election has drawn significant attention due to his past. He was recently released from a Belgian prison after serving 12 years for his role as one of the leaders of Somali pirate groups. Following his return to Somalia, he swiftly transitioned into politics, seeking a parliamentary seat.
In 2013, months before his arrest, Afweyne announced his retirement from piracy, claiming he had convinced 120 others to abandon the trade.
Meanwhile, the electoral commission is set to conduct the election for seat HOP 049 in the coming days. The seat was previously held by Mustaf Dhuxulow, who was appointed Director of the National Immigration Agency.