President of Somaliland

The president of the Republic of Somaliland (Somali: Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland; Arabic: رئيس جمهورية صوماليلاند, romanized: Rayiys jumhuriat Soomaliland) is the head of state and head of government of Somaliland. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somaliland Armed Forces. The president represents the Government of Somaliland.

President of the Republic of Somaliland
Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland (Somali)
Presidential seal
Flag of the president of Somaliland
Incumbent Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi since 12 December 2024 (2024-12-12)
Style	His Excellency Mr. President
Type	Head of state Head of government Commander-in-chief
Member of	Cabinet of Somaliland
Residence	Presidential Palace
Seat	Hargeisa
Appointer	Direct election
Term length	5 years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Somaliland
Formation	28 May 1991; 34 years ago (1991-05-28)
First holder	Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur
Deputy	Vice President of Somaliland
Website	Official website

The first president of Somaliland was Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur. The current office-holder is the 6th president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who took office on 12 December 2024. The President can serve a maximum of two five-year terms.

The Republic of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the former British Somaliland Protectorate, which was an independent country for a few days in 1960 as the State of Somaliland.^[1][2][3]

History

The outgoing president, Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur, leaves the hall alongside newly elected president, Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal. Tuur is being congratulated by an elder man on his decision to accept the outcome of the election and stand down peacefully after several days intense debate and negotiation.

The first president of Somaliland was Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur, one of the leaders of the Somali National Movement (SNM), who took office on 7 June 1991, weeks after Somaliland was declared a republic. Since then the office has been held by four further people: Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, Dahir Riyale Kahin, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, and Muse Bihi Abdi.^[4][5]

Eligibility

By Article 82 of the Constitution of Somaliland, a person shall be eligible for the office of President or Vice President if (a) he is a citizen of Somaliland by birth, and, notwithstanding residence as a refugee in another country, must not hold any other citizenship; (b) he must be a Muslim, and must behave in accordance with Islamic religion; (c) he must be at least 40 years of age; and (d) he fulfills other criteria set out in this Article.^{[6] [7]}

List of presidents of Somaliland

Main article: List of presidents of Somaliland

Death in office

One Somaliland president has died in office:

• Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, who died on 3 May 2002 aged 73.

Latest election

Main article: 2024 Somaliland presidential election

Candidate		Running mate	Party	Votes	%
	Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro	Mohamed Ali Abdi	Waddani	407,908	63.95
	Muse Bihi Abdi	Mohamoud Hassan Saajin	Peace, Unity, and Development Party	225,219	35.31
	Faysal Ali Warabe	Abdirashid Duale Diriye	For Justice and Development	4,699	0.74
Total				637,826	100.00
Valid votes				637,826	98.45
Invalid/blank votes				10,037	1.55
Total votes				647,863	100.00
Registered voters/turnout				1,227,048	52.80
Source: HO, Registered

See also

• Somaliland
  • Politics of Somaliland
  • Vice President of Somaliland
• Lists of office-holders