AUTHOR'S NOTE
The history of a nation is not merely a record of past events; it is the collective memory through which societies preserve their identity, understand their institutions, and shape their future. Constitutional institutions constitute the pillars of democratic governance, and their historical development reflects the growth of the rule of law, representative government, and political maturity.
Among these institutions, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland occupies a unique and indispensable position, as it is the directly elected chamber of Parliament entrusted with the constitutional responsibilities of representing the people, enacting legislation, overseeing the Executive branch, and safeguarding the public interest.
Despite its constitutional importance and central role in Somaliland’s democratic development, the institutional history of the House of Representatives has never been comprehensively documented in a single scholarly work. Much of its legal evolution, constitutional development, electoral history, legislative reforms, institutional practices, and political experiences remain dispersed across constitutions, laws, parliamentary records, government publications, judicial decisions, election reports, and other historical sources.
The absence of a comprehensive reference has made it difficult for scholars, practitioners, and future generations to fully understand the development of one of Somaliland’s most important constitutional institutions.
This book is the result of an effort to document, preserve, and present that history in a systematic and accessible manner. Covering the period from 1960 to 2026, it traces the historical origins and constitutional evolution of representative institutions in Somaliland; examines the legal framework governing parliamentary elections; analyses constitutional and legislative reforms; and documents the composition, leadership, and major political and institutional developments that have shaped the House of Representatives throughout different stages of Somaliland’s modern history.
The principal objective of this work is the preservation of institutional memory. Nations that preserve the history of their constitutional institutions strengthen the foundations of democratic governance, while those that neglect such documentation risk losing an important part of their constitutional heritage.
It is my hope that this publication will contribute to safeguarding the history of Somaliland’s Parliament and serve as a reliable historical and legal reference for students, researchers, lawyers, policymakers, public officials, and future generations of Somalilanders.
This work has also been prepared with an international readership in mind. Somaliland’s democratic experience, constitutional development, and electoral institutions continue to attract the interest of academics, constitutional lawyers, historians, journalists, election observers, development practitioners, and policymakers around the world.
Since many of these readers do not read Somali, presenting this study in English broadens access to information about Somaliland’s parliamentary development and enables a wider audience to better understand Somaliland’s distinctive constitutional and democratic experience.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, objectivity, and completeness of the information presented in this volume. Nevertheless, history is a continually evolving field of scholarship. As additional archival materials become available and further academic research is undertaken, new perspectives and evidence will continue to enrich the understanding of the subjects examined in this book.
Accordingly, this publication should not be regarded as the final word on the subject, but rather as a scholarly contribution to the continuing documentation of Somaliland’s constitutional and political history.
Ultimately, this work is dedicated to the preservation of knowledge, the advancement of constitutional scholarship, the promotion of democratic understanding, and the strengthening of the rule of law.
It is my hope that this book will serve as an authoritative reference on the history, law, and institutional development of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland, and that it will inspire further research into the constitutional institutions that have shaped the Republic of Somaliland.
Lawyer Muse Yusuf Mohamed
Author
Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland
HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND AND ITS LEADERSHIP (1960–Present)
The House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland is a national constitutional institution and one of the two chambers of the Parliament of the Republic of Somaliland. As the directly elected chamber of Parliament, it serves as the principal institution for popular representation, legislative authority, the protection of democratic principles, and oversight of the Executive. Consequently, the House constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of Somaliland's constitutional order and democratic system of government.
The constitutional foundation of the House of Representatives is established by the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, particularly Chapter Two, Part One, Articles 39 to 56, together with Articles 74 to 79. These constitutional provisions comprehensively regulate the existence of the House, its institutional structure, composition, electoral system, qualifications for membership, term of office, parliamentary privileges and immunities, as well as its constitutional powers, responsibilities, and functions.
The Constitution further prescribes the internal procedures governing the House, including its ordinary and extraordinary sessions, parliamentary sittings, recesses, legislative procedures, and the Standing Orders that regulate its proceedings. These provisions collectively guarantee the institutional independence of the House and enable it to discharge its constitutional responsibilities of legislation, representation, and parliamentary oversight in accordance with the Constitution.
In addition to its exclusive constitutional powers, the House of Representatives participates in joint sittings of Parliament pursuant to Article 38 of the Constitution. These joint sessions reflect the constitutional cooperation between the two Houses in deliberating and deciding matters of national importance. Such matters include the approval of international and regional treaties, declarations of war, the proclamation of states of emergency, responses to natural disasters, the President's annual constitutional address to Parliament, and any other matters that both Houses determine require joint parliamentary consideration.
In relation to the administration of justice, Article 107 of the Constitution empowers the House of Representatives to elect two members of the Judicial Commission for a renewable term of two years. This constitutional authority demonstrates the House's important role in safeguarding judicial independence and maintaining the constitutional balance among the three branches of government.
The House of Representatives also exercises significant constitutional authority in ensuring executive accountability. Under Article 96 of the Constitution, the House has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President and the Vice-President where constitutional grounds exist. It is further empowered to elect two members of the High Court of Justice established to hear and determine such proceedings. This constitutes one of the highest constitutional mechanisms for ensuring executive accountability and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution.
Pursuant to Article 89 of the Constitution, the House of Representatives also plays a constitutional role in filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, thereby ensuring continuity of constitutional government and the uninterrupted functioning of the executive branch whenever such a vacancy occurs.
Furthermore, under Article 96 of the Constitution, the House possesses the constitutional authority to propose and approve the lifting of the constitutional immunity of the President and the Vice-President as part of the impeachment process. This authority forms an integral component of the constitutional framework governing the investigation and removal of the President, the Vice-President, and Ministers from office, reinforcing the principle that all holders of public office remain subject to constitutional accountability and the rule of law.
The House also exercises extensive powers of oversight and approval over the Executive Branch. Article 94 of the Constitution authorizes the House to approve the Council of Ministers, while Article 114 requires parliamentary approval of the heads of independent constitutional institutions, national commissions, and state agencies established under the Constitution. Constitutional practice in Somaliland has also entrusted the House with the approval of the leadership of other statutory independent bodies not expressly mentioned in the Constitution, including the National Electoral Commission and other comparable public institutions established by law.
Finally, the House of Representatives occupies a central position in the constitutional amendment process. Under Article 126 of the Constitution, it has the authority to initiate, deliberate upon, amend, and approve constitutional amendments and additions in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Constitution. This authority makes the House one of the principal guardians of Somaliland's constitutional order and an essential institution in the continued development of its constitutional framework.
In light of these constitutional powers and responsibilities, the House of Representatives is far more than a legislative body. It is a cornerstone of Somaliland's constitutional system, entrusted with representing the people, safeguarding democratic governance, ensuring executive accountability, preserving the supremacy of the Constitution, and strengthening the rule of law. Accordingly, the history of the House of Representatives forms an indispensable part of the constitutional, political, and institutional history of the Republic of Somaliland.
The constitutional provisions governing the House of Representatives are:
- Article 39: General Provisions of the House
- Article 40: The Total Membership of the House and Elections
- Article 41: Eligibility for Candidacy
- Article 42: Period of Office and Election Term
- Article 43: The Seat of the House
- Article 44: The Convening of the New House
- Article 45: The Meetings of the House of Representatives
- Article 46: Sessions and the Procedures of the House of Representatives
- Article 47: The Remuneration and Expenses of the House of Representatives
- Article 48: Prohibition of Holding Other Responsibilities
- Article 49: The Privileges of the Members of the House of Representatives
- Article 50: Loss of Membership of the House of Representatives
- Article 51: Filling Vacant Seats in the House of Representatives
- Article 52: Staff of the House of Representatives
- Article 53: The Powers & Duties of the House of Representatives
- Article 54: The Legislative Powers of the House of Representatives
- Article 55: The Budget
- Article 56: Dissolution of the House of Representatives
- Article 74: Legislative Procedure
- Article 75: Bills
- Article 76: Procedures for Legislation
- Article 77: Promulgation of Laws
- Article 78: Annual Budget and Financial Legislation
- Article 79: Special Legislative Procedures
Members of the House of Representatives have been elected through direct popular elections on three occasions in Somaliland’s history: 17 February 1960, 29 September 2005, and 31 May 2021. Each of these elections was conducted under a distinct legal framework reflecting the constitutional and political circumstances of its time.
The following section reproduces the constitutional provisions relating to the House of Representatives. Subsequent sections examine the electoral laws and legal frameworks that governed the various elections of the House of Representatives in Somaliland from 1960 to the present day.
THE FIRST HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND AT INDEPENDENCE (1960)
The Republic of Somaliland had a legislative body that was directly elected by the people before Independence Day. The first election for the Somaliland House of Representatives was held on 17 February 1960, and 33 members of parliament were elected from the three political parties as follows:
Somali National League (SNL)– 20 seats
United Somali Party (USP)– 12 seats
National United Front (NUF)– 1 seat
The first Somaliland House of Representatives held its inaugural session on 26 June 1960, the same day Somaliland gained independence from the United Kingdom and proclaimed its sovereignty.
The session was presided over by Mr. A.G. Ridley.
The House did not elect a Speaker or a parliamentary leadership during its brief existence.
The lifespan of this House was only seven days, from 26 June to 1 July 1960, before the State of Somaliland united with the former Trust Territory of Somalia on 1 July 1960to form the Somali Republic.
THE SECOND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND (1991–1993)
The second House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was established during the Grand Conference of the Somaliland Clans held in Burao in May 1991.
The House consisted of 111 members, drawn from the Central Committee of the Somali National Movement (SNM)together with additional members representing clans that had not been part of the SNM.
The House was led by Prof. Ibrahim Maygaag Samatar, who served as Speaker and had previously been the Chairman of the SNM Central Committee. The Deputy Speaker was Abdillahi Haji Abdi Omar (Abdillahi Jawaan), who had served as the Deputy Chairman of the SNM Central Committee.
The House served a two-year term, from June 1991 to June 1993.
It remains the largest House of Representatives in Somaliland's history, with a membership of 111 representatives. It is also notable for being the only House of Representatives that completed its constitutional term without receiving any extension of its mandate.
THE THIRD HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND (June 1993 – April 1997)
The Third House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was established during the Second Grand Conference of the Somaliland Clans, which was held in the town of Borama between January and May 1993. The Borama Conference was a historic milestone that played a major role in the reconstruction of Somaliland's statehood, as it established the country's constitutional institutions and adopted the National Charter of the Republic of Somaliland (1993).
The House of Representatives operated under the 1993 National Charter, which served as Somaliland's interim constitution until it was replaced by the 1997 Interim Constitution. The National Charter clearly defined the existence of the House, its structure, powers, responsibilities, and procedures, granting it legislative authority and responsibility for representing the people during the transitional period.
The Third House of Representatives consisted of 75 members, including the Secretary-General of the House, as provided by the National Charter. The members of the House were selected through a clan-based system founded on consensus and reconciliation, in accordance with the political agreements reached at the Borama Conference.
At its first sitting, the members elected Ahmed Abdi Mohamed "Habsade" as Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Abdirahman Hussein Abdi Beedaani was elected Deputy Speaker.
The House of Representatives was established for a two-year term of office. However, owing to the political circumstances and the country's transitional period, no general election was held to elect a new House upon the expiration of its term.
In 1995, the Speaker of the House, Ahmed Abdi Mohamed "Habsade", resigned from office. Following his resignation, the House elected the Deputy Speaker, Abdirahman Hussein Beedaani, as Speaker, and he completed the remainder of the parliamentary term.
The Third House of Representatives was elected for a two-year term, which was due to expire in June 1995. However, on 19 April 1995, its term was extended once for a period of 18 months.
THE FOURTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND (May 1997 – November 2005)
The Fourth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was selected through a clan-based selection system. The traditional leaders of Somaliland’s clans selected the individuals they considered most suitable to serve as members of the House of Representatives.
The powers and functions of this House were defined under the Interim Constitution, which was approved at the Third Somaliland Communities Conference held in Hargeisa from October 1996 to February 1997.
The House consisted of 82 members. Its first sitting was held on 25 May 1997.
The new members of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland, numbering 82, were sworn in for a five-year term that was scheduled to end on 25 May 2002, following the completion of the selection process by clan elders. The House elected:
Ahmed Mohamed Aden Qaybe as Speaker of the House of Representatives;
Abdiqadir Haji Ismail Jirde as First Deputy Speaker;
Elmi Roble Fure as Second Deputy Speaker.
Although the term was originally five years, the Fourth House continued in office until November 2005 due to extensions related to the delayed transition to a directly elected House of Representatives.
Term Extensions of the Fourth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland
The Fourth House of Representatives was granted a five-year constitutional term, which was scheduled to end on 25 May 2002.
However, due to delays in preparing and conducting the transition to a directly elected House of Representatives, the term of the Fourth House was extended on three separate occasions:
- 27 April 2002 The House of Representatives was granted a one-year term extension, starting from 25 May 2002 and ending on 25 May 2003.
- 03 March 2003 The House of Representatives was granted a two-year term extension, running from 25 May 2003 to 25 May 2005.
- 28 May 2005 The House of Representatives was granted a further extension of 143 days, beginning on 25 May 2005 and ending on 15 October 2005.
Following these extensions, the Fourth House of Representatives continued to serve until the establishment of the Fifth House of Representatives, which was elected through the first direct parliamentary election held on 29 September 2005 and took office in November 2005.
The Fourth House of Representatives is widely regarded as one of the most significant legislative bodies in Somaliland’s history. It played a central role in establishing the country’s legal and institutional foundations during the post-conflict state-building period. The House enacted some of the most important national laws, including key electoral legislation that paved the way for the introduction of multiparty democracy and direct elections in Somaliland. It is often considered one of the strongest and most productive Houses of Representatives in Somaliland’s political history
THE FIFTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND (November 2005 – July 2021)
The Fifth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland (November 2005 – July 2021)
The Fifth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was elected in the second direct election to the House of Representatives, held on 29 September 2005. It was the second direct parliamentary election in Somaliland's history, the first having been held in 1960 for the Legislative Assembly of the independent State of Somaliland.
The election was conducted across Somaliland's six regions, with each region serving as an electoral constituency and contesting the seats allocated to it. A total of 246 candidates contested the election under the three national political parties existing at the time: UDUB, UCID, and KULMIYE. Seven of the candidates were women.
The House consisted of 82 members, including two women who were elected as Members of Parliament.
The House held its first sitting on 29 November 2005, during which Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) was elected Speaker of the House. Abdiaziz Mohamed Samale was elected First Deputy Speaker, while Bashe Mohamed Farah was elected Second Deputy Speaker.
On 14 March 2012, First Deputy Speaker Abdiaziz Mohamed Samale was appointed Minister of Finance by President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Silanyo). To fill the vacancy, the House elected Bashe Mohamed Farah as First Deputy Speaker on 24 March 2012, while Ali Yusuf Ahmed was elected Second Deputy Speaker.
On 3 August 2017, Speaker Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Cirro) resigned from the Speakership in order to contest the Somaliland presidential election scheduled for November 2017 as the presidential candidate of the WADDANI Party.
On 6 August 2017, the House elected Bashe Mohamed Farah, who had been serving as First Deputy Speaker, as Speaker of the House. Subsequently, on 28 August 2017, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle was elected First Deputy Speaker to fill the vacancy created by Bashe's election as Speaker.
The House was originally elected for a five-year term, commencing on 1 November 2005, the date on which the Supreme Court officially certified the election results. Its mandate was therefore due to expire on 1 November 2010.
However, the House received six separate extensions of its term:
- 7 September 2010– An extension of two years and eight months, extending the mandate from 1 November 2010 to 1 July 2013.
- 15 April 2013– An extension of two years, one month, and twenty-seven days, extending the mandate from 29 June 2013 to 25 August 2015.
- 11 May 2015– An extension of one year and nine months, extending the mandate from 28 July 2015 to 27 April 2017.
- 6 March 2017– An extension of two years, extending the mandate from 27 April 2017 to 27 April 2019.
- 21 January 2019– An extension of nine months, extending the mandate from 27 April 2019 to 27 January 2020.
- 24 November 2019– An extension of one year, five months, and three days, extending the mandate from 27 January 2020 to 30 June 2021.
The Fifth House of Representatives remains the longest-serving elected parliament in Somaliland's history and holds the record for receiving the highest number of term extensions, serving continuously from 2005 until 2021. It remained in office until the election of the Fifth House of Representatives in the parliamentary elections held on 31 May 2021.
The Incident Associated with the Election of the Leadership of the Fifth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland (2005)
When the Somaliland National Electoral Commission announced the preliminary results of the House of Representatives election on 15 October 2005, the ruling UDUB Party won 33 seats out of the 82 members of the newly elected House of Representatives.
The UDUB Party began a plan aimed at securing control of the leadership of the new House. In order to obtain the majority required for the election of the House leadership, it attempted to gain the support of nine members of parliament elected from the opposition parties. However, these efforts ultimately succeeded in securing only one member of parliament.
On the other hand, Faisal Ali Warabe, Chairman of the UCID Party, stated that his party had the right to take the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives. He announced that they had nominated Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi “Cirro” as their candidate for the position. He also stated that the two Deputy Speaker positions would be given to whichever of the other two parties agreed to their proposal.
09 November 2005
The two opposition parties, UCID and KULMIYE, signed a 13-point agreement. The most important provision of the agreement was that the two parties, which jointly held 49 out of the 82 seats in the House of Representatives, would elect the leadership of the House together.
The agreement stipulated:
● UCID would take the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
● KULMIYE would take the positions of First Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker.
During the signing ceremony of the agreement, the two parties also announced the members they had nominated for the leadership of the new House of Representatives.
This agreement removed the plan of the ruling UDUB Party to control the leadership of the House of Representatives.
27 November 2005
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Dahir Rayale Kahin, issued a presidential decree ordering the newly elected members of the House of Representatives to convene their first session on 29 November 2005, in accordance with Article 44(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland.
29 November 2005
According to Article 44(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland:
“The new House shall be opened by the Chief Justice, who shall administer the oath to the members of the House. After that, the session shall be presided over by the oldest member of the newly elected members, and the House shall elect from among its members a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers.”
In accordance with this provision, the oldest member of the new House was MP Ibrahim Mohamed Hussein “Dhaadheere,” who was elected from the Sanaag Region and belonged to the UDUB Party.
After the members of the House had taken their oath, MP Dhaadheere announced that the session was closed, and the members of the UDUB Party left the chamber.
However, the members of the two opposition parties, UCID and KULMIYE, continued the session, transferring the chairmanship to the next oldest member, Professor Mohamed Omar Jiir, who belonged to the KULMIYE Party and was elected from the Togdheer Region.
They then proceeded with the election of the leadership of the House of Representatives,
This election became the first time that the leadership of the Somaliland House of Representatives came from opposition parties, while the ruling UDUB Party, although the largest single party in terms of seats, did not have an overall majority in the House.
01 December 2005
The government and the ruling UDUB Party rejected the results of the election of the House leadership. Therefore, on 1 December 2005, the government submitted a case to the Supreme Court.
On the same day, the House of Elders (Guurti) appointed a 14-member committee chaired by the Speaker of the House of Elders to resolve the dispute arising from the election of the leadership of the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, the newly elected leadership of the House of Representatives issued a statement announcing that it had suspended parliamentary sessions and accepted the mediation of the committee appointed by the House of Elders.
02 December 2005
The Supreme Court issued an interim order instructing the House of Representatives to suspend the session scheduled for 3 December.
The opposition parties and some members of the public criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, considering it to be incorrect.
05 December 2005
Finally, the committee appointed by the House of Elders succeeded in resolving the dispute arising from the election of the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The election results and the newly elected leadership of the House of Representatives were collectively accepted and recognized, bringing an end to the political dispute that had arisen from the election of the leadership of the Fifth House of Representatives.
THE SIXTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND (2021–Present)
The Sixth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was elected in the combined elections of the House of Representatives and Local Councils held on 31 May 2021.
The members of the House were elected from the three national political parties: KULMIYE, UCID, and WADDANI.
A total of 246 candidates contested the House of Representatives election, including 13 women candidates. However, not all of the women candidates were successful in securing seats,
The House held its inaugural session on 3 August 2021, during which Abdirisaq Khaliif Ahmed was elected Speaker of the House. Said Mire Farah was elected First Deputy Speaker, while Ali Hamud Jibril was elected Second Deputy Speaker.
On 11 June 2023, Speaker Abdirisaq Khalif Ahmed resigned from his position following political disagreements related to the conflict in the Sool Region.
To fill the vacancy, the House of Representatives conducted a new election for Speaker on 23 July 2023, during which Prof. Yasin Haji Mohamud Faratoon was elected Speaker. Faratoon, a member of the KULMIYE Party, had been elected as a Member of Parliament from the Sool Region.
The Fifth House of Representatives was originally elected for a five-year term, beginning on 7 July 2021, the date on which the Supreme Court officially certified and approved the election results. Its mandate was therefore scheduled to expire on 7 July 2026.
However, this Sixth House of Representatives received its first term extension.
28 April 2026 – A term extension of two years and three months was granted to the House of Representatives, extending its mandate from 7 July 2026 to 7 October 2028.
28 April 2026– An extension of two years and three months, extending the mandate from 7 July 2026 to 7 October 2028.
The Incident Associated with the First Session of the Sixth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland (2021)
01 August 2021
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, issued a presidential decree announcing the convening of the first session of the newly elected House of Representatives, following the House of Representatives election held on 31 May 2021.
03 August 2021
The first session of the Sixth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was opened.
The first session of the Somaliland House of Representatives was opened in accordance with Article 44 of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, and the newly elected members took their oath of office.
According to the Constitution, the first session of the House shall normally be chaired by the oldest member among the newly elected members. However, a special legal situation arose after the oldest member, Professor Mohamoud Yasin Xiir Faratoon, became a candidate for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
This situation created a legal gap, as the Constitution does not clearly specify who should preside over the first session when the oldest member is also a candidate for the position of Speaker of the House.
Therefore, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Somaliland presided over the first session in order to ensure the proper conduct of the constitutional procedures and proceedings of the first session of the House of Representatives.
In this manner, the first session of the Sixth House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland was successfully convened.
SPEAKERS OF THE SOMALILAND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR TERMS OF OFFICE
Since the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland in 1991, the House of Representatives has been led by the following Speakers
1. Prof. Ibrahim Maygaag Samatar June 1991 – June 1993
He served as the first Speaker of the House of Representatives established following the Burao Conference of 1991.
2. Ahmed Abdi Mohamoud (Habsade) June 1993 – June 1995
He served as Speaker of the House during the administration formed after the Borama Conference.
3. Abdirahman Hussein Abdi Beedaani June 1995 – May 1997.
He assumed the Speakership after Ahmed Abdi Mohamoud Habsade vacated the position, having previously served as his deputy.
4. Ahmed Mohamed Aden Qaybe May 1997 –November 2005
He served as Speaker of the Third House of Representatives and led the legislative transition toward Somaliland’s multiparty democratic system.
5. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) 29 November 2005 – 3 August 2017
He served as Speaker of the Fourth House of Representatives and remains the longest-serving Speaker in the history of Somaliland’s Parliament.
6. Bashe Mohamed Farah 6 August 2017 – 3 August 2021
He assumed the Speakership following the resignation of Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) and continued in office until the inauguration of the Fifth House of Representatives.
7. Abdirisak Khaliif Ahmed 3 August 2021 – 11 June 2023
He served as the first Speaker of the Fifth House of Representatives before resigning from office following political disagreements related to the conflict in the Sool Region.
8. Prof. Yasin Haji Mohmoud Xiir (Faratoon) 23 July 2023 – Present
He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives following the resignation of Abdirisak Khaliif Ahmed and continues to serve in that capacity.
Summary
The Somaliland House of Representatives has been led by eight Speakers, reflecting the evolution of Somalilands legislative institution from the transitional clan-based assemblies of the early 1990s to the contemporary elected parliament. The longest-serving Speaker was Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Cirro, who held office for nearly twelve years, from 2005 to 2017.
Additional Historical Note
Bashe Mohamed Farah holds a unique distinction in the history of the Somaliland House of Representatives as the only member of parliament to have served in all three positions of the House leadership.
During his parliamentary career, he successively served as:
Second Deputy Speaker(2005–2012)
First Deputy Speaker(2012–2017)
Speaker of the House of Representatives(2017–2021)
SUMMARY
From 1991 to the present, the Somaliland House of Representatives has been led by eight Speakers, reflecting the evolution of Somalilands legislative institution from the transitional clan-based assemblies of the early 1990s to the contemporary elected parliament. The longest-serving Speaker was Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Cirro, who held office for nearly twelve years, from 2005 to 2017.
A notable historical milestone is that Bashe Mohamed Farah remains the only member of the House to have served in all three offices of the parliamentary leadership—Second Deputy Speaker, First Deputy Speaker, and Speaker—making his career one of the most distinguished in the history of Somalilands legislature
ELECTORAL REFORM PROCESS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND (2001–2005)
In 2001, the Republic of Somaliland embarked on a broad constitutional and political process aimed at restoring the election of representative institutions to the people through direct universal suffrage. The objective was to establish democratic elections for the Presidency, local councils, political parties, and the House of Representatives, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland.
To facilitate the implementation of this process, the Government prepared several key electoral bills, which later formed the legal foundation of Somaliland’s democratization framework. These included:
The Regulation of Political Associations and Parties Law (No.14/2000)
The Presidential and Local Councils Elections Law (No.20/2001)
The House of Representatives Elections Law (No. 20-2/2005)
When these draft laws were submitted to Parliament, they were prioritized according to urgency and political necessity within the national electoral roadmap.
During parliamentary deliberations, the House of Representatives Elections Law became one of the most contentious legislative proposals. The main challenge concerned the allocation of parliamentary seats among Somaliland’s regions. Members of Parliament held divergent views on the basis of representation, with proposals ranging from regional allocation, district-based distribution, clan considerations, and other competing models. Consequently, the House was unable to reach consensus, and the draft law remained stalled for an extended period.
To resolve this legislative impasse, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Mohamed Aden “Qaybe”, on 16 November 2004, established a special committee composed of five Members of Parliament. The committee was mandated to collect, review, and harmonize the various proposals submitted by Members of Parliament regarding the draft House of Representatives Elections Law, with the aim of facilitating consensus and advancing the legislative process.
The Committee consisted of:
Mr. Abdiqadir Haji Ismail Jirde.
Mr. Mohamed Muse Diiriye.
Mr. Mohamed Warsame Diiriye
Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed
Mr. Abdi Farah Du’ale
The Committee was chaired by Mr. Abdiqadir Haji Ismail Jirde, who was then the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Committee also appointed:
Committee Secretary: Mohamed Hussein Osman, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives.
Committee Adviser: Abdirisak Aqli, Independent Researcher.
The Committee was mandated to reconcile the three competing positions submitted to the House and to complete the drafting of the House of Representatives Election Law.
The Committee commenced its work on 19 November 2004, focusing initially on the most difficult and long-standing issue: the allocation of parliamentary seats.
The Committee reviewed the historical background of repeated extensions of the House’s term of office and assessed public reactions to these extensions within Somaliland society. It also examined the underlying reasons why a sustainable solution to the seat allocation formula had not yet been reached.
The Committee concluded that the main causes of the impasse were the absence of a national census and the divergent positions within the House regarding the method of allocating seats among regions.
Following this analysis, the Committee conducted an in-depth examination of the three competing viewpoints, seeking to identify the basis and historical development of each position. The Committee further agreed that no resolution would be possible if members remained attached to their own positions. It therefore resolved that all members should adopt a neutral and impartial stance in order to evaluate the proposals objectively.
The Committee also recognized that the issue extended beyond the House of Representatives alone. It therefore held consultative meetings with the Government, the three national political parties, the National Electoral Commission, women’s organizations, and civil society groups.
These consultations demonstrated a strong need for stakeholders to review the draft law and provide comments and recommendations. As a result, several provisions were added, amended, or removed based on these inputs.
The Committee also met with constitutional and legal expert Mr. Ruben Zamora. The House of Representatives had requested the Peace and Development Academy to assist in identifying an expert to support the drafting process. Through the Academy’s facilitation, the expert was engaged, with his costs generously funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.
The expert was invited to Somaliland to provide technical and legal advice on the drafting process. He played a significant role in reviewing both drafts of the legislation and provided recommendations for improving and correcting various provisions. He also assisted in ensuring that the draft law complied with the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland.
On 14 December 2004, the Committee submitted a report and recommendations to the House of Representatives regarding the seat allocation formula, along with a completed draft of the House of Representatives Election Law.
On 18 January 2005, the House of Representatives approved the House of Representatives Election Law (Law No. 20-2/2005). The House of Elders subsequently approved it on 5 February 2005.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Dahir Rayale Kahin, requested the House of Representatives to remove certain provisions deemed impractical and likely to delay the elections. These included:
A requirement that elections be conducted simultaneously across the entire country
A requirement for voter registration prior to elections.
On 19 February 2005, the President referred the matter to the Attorney General, requesting legal action regarding provisions that obstructed the conduct of elections.
On 20 February 2005, the Attorney General submitted the case to the Constitutional Court for interpretation of the disputed provisions.
On 26 February 2005, the Constitutional Court (Case No. 26 MS/DD/01/05) annulled Articles 10, 13, 38, and 44 of the House of Representatives Election Law No. 20-2/2005, ruling that they constituted obstacles to the timely conduct of elections.
The Court further held that the remainder of the law would enter into force upon signature by the President.
On 2 April 2005, the House of Representatives approved the amended version of the Law No. 20-2/2005, .
On 11 April 2005, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Dahir Rayaale Kaahin, signed the Law No. 20-2/2005, into effect
Electoral System of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland
The electoral system of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland is established by the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, which recognizes the election of the House of Representatives as one of the country’s constitutional elections.
The election of the House of Representatives has been governed by a dedicated electoral law, and at times its provisions have been incorporated into the general national electoral framework.
The Somaliland House of Representatives Election Law, Law No. 20/2005, consisted of 64 articles and governed the 2005 House of Representatives elections. The law was later incorporated into the Somaliland General Elections and Voter Registration Law, Law No. 91/2023, with the provisions relating to the House of Representatives election included as a separate chapter within the consolidated electoral law.
The allocation of seats in the House of Representatives was based on a general political consensus arrangement, adopted as an interim solution until a formal mechanism for seat distribution could be established, such as a comprehensive national population census.
ANNEX 1
This is the decision issued by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Somaliland regarding the House of Representatives Election Law No. 20-2/2005, dated 26 February 2005, and it is presented as follows:-
DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND
ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION LAW
REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND
IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF SOMALILAND
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Reference: MS/DD/01/05
Date: 26/02/2005
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Somaliland, composed of:
Faisal Haji Jama Geedi – Chairman
Mahmoud Hirsi Farah – Member
Sheikh Ali Abdi Guled – Member
Yasin Hassan Ismail – Member
Abdi Elmi Hassan – Member
Osman Ismail Ahmed – Member
Mohamed Omar Geelle – Member
Together with the Senior Assistant of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Sahra Ismail Abdillahi, the Court convened on 23/02/2005 to deliberate on the constitutional case submitted by the Attorney General of the Nation.
The case was registered under reference XIG/JSL/31/2005, dated 20/02/2005, Hargeisa.
SUBJECT OF THE CASE
Pursuant to Article 77(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, the President of the Republic submitted an official communication dated 19/02/2005 (Ref: JSL/M/XIG/102-1034/022005) concerning the House of Representatives Election Law (Law No. 20-2/2005).
The referral concerned allegations that the law was inconsistent with constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 22, 48, and 70 of the Constitution, on the grounds that it restricts citizens’ rights to elect and be elected.
It was also argued that certain provisions of the law infringe upon voting rights as guaranteed under Article 42(2) of the Constitution.
The contested provisions included:
Article 10 (Paragraphs 1 and 2) Article 13 (Paragraphs 1–8)
It was further argued that requirements such as voter registration and a national census are not expressly mandated by the Constitution.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS EXAMINED
The Court examined the following constitutional provisions:
Articles: 8, 9, 22, 25, 40, 41, 42, 44, 50, 96, 97(2), 98(1)(b)(j), 109, 127(t), and Article 334 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
It also reviewed Articles 10, 13, 38, and 44 of the House of Representatives Election Law No. 20-2/2005.
INTERPRETATION OF THE COURT
The Court held as follows:
Article 8 of the Constitution concerns equality of citizens and not electoral procedures.
Article 9 of the Constitution concerns the political system and not election implementation.
Article 22 of the Constitution guarantees political rights but does not regulate technical electoral requirements.
Article 25 of the Constitution concerns general freedoms and is not related to elections.
Article 40 of the Constitution defines the composition and membership of the House.
Article 41 of the Constitution concerns eligibility of candidates, not voter obligations.
Article 42 of the Constitution concerns the term of office and election timing.
Article 44 of the Constitution concerns the convening of the new House, not voter registration requirements.
Article 50 of the Constitution concerns loss of membership, not electoral procedures.
Article 109 of the Constitution concerns administrative divisions and does not require a census as a constitutional precondition for elections.
Article 127(t) of the Constitution concerns territorial integrity and does not require simultaneous nationwide elections.
The Court further affirmed that constitutional interpretation is an exclusive judicial function under Article 98(1) of the Constitution of Somaliland.
THE DECISION OF THE COURT
Having considered all submissions and constitutional arguments, the Court ruled that:
Articles 10, 13, 38, and 44 of the House of Representatives Election Law (No. 20-2/2005) are inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland and constitute obstacles to the timely conduct of elections.
Accordingly, the Court decided:
To nullify Articles 10, 13, 38, and 44
hat the remainder of the law shall remain in force
That, where necessary, the Presidential and Local Councils Elections Law (No. 20/2001) shall be applied for technical electoral procedures
That the law shall enter into force upon signature by the President of the Republic.
DATE OF DECISION: This decision was issued on 26/02/2005
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Garyaqaan Muuse Yuusuf Maxamed
Hargeysa Somaliland
2026
