Somalia’s long-awaited elections have proven to be a historic event so far. On the evening of 28^th of April, Somali parliamentarians elected its first-ever female Deputy Speaker.

Sadia Yasin Haji Samatar won the position with 137 votes, whilst her competitor Mohamed Caano Nuug received 107 votes in the second and final round of the voting.

Sadia, a Somali-American, hails from the Puntland region of Somalia and has been a parliamentarian since 2016. She is also a member of the Somali Federal Parliament’s Committee Of Foreign Affairs.

Sadia is a member of the opposition Damujadid Party which is led by former president and current presidential candidate Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble have congratulated the newly elected Deputy Speaker.