HARGEISA, 6 October 2026 — The Somaliland House of Representatives has congratulated H.E. Ahmed Shide on his election as Speaker of Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives, describing his elevation as a historic milestone and expressing hope for stronger parliamentary cooperation between the two sides.

The congratulatory message, issued by the Office of the Speaker and signed by Hon. Saeed Mire Farah, Acting Speaker and First Deputy Speaker of the Somaliland House of Representatives, also congratulated H.E. Ayelech Eshete on her election as Deputy Speaker.

The statement was issued a day after Ethiopia’s seventh House of Peoples’ Representatives elected Shide as Speaker and Eshete as Deputy Speaker during its inaugural session on 5 October. Ethiopia’s House of Federation separately elected Muferihat Kamil as Speaker and Desta Ledamo as Deputy Speaker. ENA English

Historic First

In its message, the Somaliland House of Representatives placed particular emphasis on the historic character of Shide’s election.

“We particularly recognise the historic significance of H.E. Ahmed Shide’s election as the first Ethiopian Somali to serve as Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives.”

The House said Shide’s record of service across regional and federal institutions, including years at the centre of Ethiopia’s economic policymaking, would bring considerable experience to his new constitutional role. Ahmed Shide Parliament

Shide, a former Ethiopian finance minister, was elected at the opening of the new parliamentary term following Ethiopia’s latest general election. His move to the speakership marks a transition from senior executive office to leadership of the country’s principal federal legislative chamber.

The Somaliland Parliament wished Shide and Eshete success in guiding the House and strengthening its legislative and oversight functions.

The message described their election as both a major responsibility and an expression of confidence from their fellow parliamentarians.

It said their leadership could contribute to “effective, accountable and representative parliamentary governance.” Ahmed Shide Parliament

Parliamentary Ties

Beyond the congratulations, the message strongly emphasised relations between the two legislatures.

“The Somaliland House of Representatives attaches great importance to constructive engagement among parliamentary institutions in our region.”

The House said it looked forward to “strengthened parliamentary relations, exchange of experience and constructive institutional cooperation between our respective Houses.” Ahmed Shide Parliament

The statement said strong legislatures have an important role in promoting accountable government, peaceful political dialogue, responsive lawmaking and the aspirations of the peoples they represent.

The emphasis on parliamentary cooperation gives the message a wider regional dimension, signalling the Somaliland House’s interest in closer institutional engagement with Ethiopia’s legislature alongside broader relations between the two sides.

Such cooperation could provide avenues for exchanges on parliamentary procedure, legislative practice, committee work and institutional development.

Federation Leadership

The Somaliland House also congratulated Ethiopia’s new leadership of its second federal chamber.

Muferihat Kamil was elected Speaker of the House of Federation, while Desta Ledamo, the former President of the Sidama Regional State, was elected Deputy Speaker.

Muferihat succeeds Agegnehu Teshager and returns to senior parliamentary leadership after previously serving as Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and holding senior government posts.

The House of Federation also elected the leadership of four standing committees as Ethiopia began its new parliamentary term. ENA English

The Somaliland statement extended its wishes not only to the Speakers and their deputies but also to the wider membership and newly elected leadership of Ethiopia’s federal Parliament.

New Term

The parliamentary changes form part of Ethiopia’s transition into a new five-year political term.

On 5 October, the seventh House of Peoples’ Representatives convened for its inaugural regular session, elected its leadership and subsequently appointed Abiy Ahmed as Prime Minister for another term. The House of Federation established its own leadership and committee structures on the same day. ENA English

Against that backdrop, the Somaliland House said it hoped Ethiopia’s new parliamentary leadership would exercise its responsibilities in support of peace, governance and public service.

In its closing paragraph, the message wished the leadership and membership of Ethiopia’s Parliament “wisdom, success and productive service in advancing peace, good governance, stability and the well-being of the peoples they represent.” Ahmed Shide Parliament

The message, dated 6 October 2026, was issued on the official letterhead of the Somaliland House of Representatives and signed by Hon. Saeed Mire Farah in his capacity as Acting Speaker and First Deputy Speaker.