Impeachment Accusation Against President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal Submitted to the Somaliland House of Representatives (21 July 2001)

REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND

To: The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Somaliland
Cc: Honorable Members of the House of Representatives of Somaliland

Date: July 21, 2001

Subject: PROPOSAL FOR THE IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT

Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members,

We, the thirty-six (36) Members of the House whose names and signatures appear below,

Having regard to Article 96(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland concerning the procedure for the impeachment and removal of the President;

Having determined that President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal has committed the following offences:

1. Violation of the Constitution;

2. Treason against the Nation.

We therefore submit this proposal to the Speaker and the Honorable Members of the House of Representatives, requesting that President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal be formally impeached and charged with the offences stated above.

As we all know, the constitutional structure of our Republic is founded upon three co-equal branches of government that are intended to balance one another. The principle of the separation of powers is designed to ensure that no single individual or institution ever exercises unchecked authority over the affairs of the State.

Regrettably, it is our considered view that this fundamental constitutional principle has been disregarded by the administration of President Egal.

We shall now briefly set out the grounds for the charges outlined above.

I. VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

The constitutional provisions that the President has clearly violated are sufficiently established by the following undisputed facts.

1. INTERFERENCE WITH THE JUDICIARY

The President violated Article 97, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Constitution, which guarantee the independence of the judiciary, by directly interfering in judicial affairs.

The following incidents serve as examples:

1. Supreme Court judgment in the TOTAL case

On 4 November 2000, the President nullified a judgment of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Somaliland against TOTAL Company. The Court had awarded compensation to three (3) Somaliland citizens who had suffered chemical poisoning while cleaning the interior of fuel storage tanks.

Among the President's public remarks on the matter were the following:

"It is unacceptable for a court judgment to be used to rob a company that has invested in this country. I order that no action be taken to enforce that judgment."

In connection with the same incident, President Egal dismissed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mohamed Haji Said, without obtaining the approval of the House of Representatives and the House of Elders, as required under Article 105(3) of the Constitution.

2. Supreme Court case concerning disputed parliamentary seats

The President also intervened in a case before the Supreme Court concerning contested seats in the legislative councils that were claimed by certain clans.

He exerted pressure on the Court and prevented it from exercising its lawful authority to adjudicate the dispute.

3. Interference with the prosecution of Presidential Guard soldiers

On 29 September 1997, the President obstructed criminal proceedings initiated by the Attorney General against members of the Presidential Guard who had opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, wounding two children.

President Egal refused to allow the soldiers to be arrested, despite the absence of any lawful justification for the shooting.

Among his statements to the Attorney General were:

"The two Presidential Guard soldiers whom you are pursuing enjoy the same immunity as the President. No one other than the President has the authority to remove that protection."

He further stated:

"I have investigated the allegations against those soldiers and found them to be baseless. The matter is politically motivated. Nothing will come of it. They will not be brought before a court, and I do not wish to hear this matter raised again."

These actions were contrary to the law and exceeded the constitutional powers vested exclusively in the President under Article 90 of the Constitution.

2.  USURPATION OF THE POWERS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The President's encroachment upon the constitutional powers of the legislative branch is clearly demonstrated by the following provisions, which he has directly violated.

1. Article 53, paragraphs (2) and (3)

As is well known, for nearly four (4) years the President was expected to present his Government's programme to the House, yet he deliberately failed to do so.

Likewise, to this day there has been no international agreement concluded by the President that has been submitted to and approved by the House of Representatives, despite the fact that we are aware of statements made by President Egal himself acknowledging that government officials had entered into agreements on behalf of the State.

2. Article 54, paragraphs (1) and (3)

Under President Egal's administration, it has become common practice to print currency and to impose or alter taxes and other public levies without any legal authorization.

Such actions are expressly prohibited by the above constitutional provision, as well as by Article 14, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Republic.

3. Article 55, paragraphs (3) and (6)

Honourable Members, it is unnecessary to remind you of what you already know.

The Government's final accounts for the fiscal years 1998–2000 have never been submitted to this House, as required by Article 55(6) of the Constitution.

Furthermore, President Egal's administration has incurred substantial expenditures that were neither included in the national budget nor approved by the House of Representatives.

Among the revenues that have allegedly been expended outside the legal budgetary process are those derived from the Port of Berbera, the national fuel storage facilities, the National Printing Press, warehouse rental income, commercial profits, and the foreign currency earnings generated from livestock exports—particularly during the years 1995–1998. For the fiscal years 1999–2000, only fifty percent (50%) of those revenues were incorporated into the national budget.

4. Article 109(3)

Under Article 109(3) of the Constitution, any alteration to the number of regions and districts, or to their territorial boundaries, must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the House of Elders.

Despite this constitutional requirement, President Egal unilaterally established a new region (Sahil) together with more than ten new districts, and proceeded to implement and formally inaugurate them without obtaining the constitutionally required approval of the two Houses.

5. Failure to promulgate legislation enacted by the Legislature

Another matter of serious concern is that President Egal has, in many instances, failed to promulgate or publish in the Official Gazette the laws enacted by the Legislative Branch, as required under Article 77(5) and Article 78(3) of the Constitution, except for those laws in which the Government has had a particular interest.

As we all know, the legislative authority of the Republic of Somaliland is vested exclusively in the House of Representatives and the House of Elders.

The power to legislate cannot be transferred to any other authority, as provided by Article 38(1) and Article 39 of the Constitution.

Honourable Members, there can be no doubt that the majority of the resolutions and laws approved by this House since its establishment have never been implemented. These amount to approximately nineteen (19) enacted laws.

As the saying goes, "The last body carried is the one most remembered." A recent example is the agreement concluded by the Government with TOTAL, which this House rejected after finding its terms unacceptable. Nevertheless, the President disregarded that decision.

The Parliament that preceded this House also enacted approximately forty-two (42) laws, many of which proved to be of no practical effect.

As sufficient testimony before God, we recall the President's own remarks during the closing ceremony of a Police Force training programme on 11 June 1997, when he stated:

"The previous Parliament spent some time sitting alongside me, yet none of its laws were implemented. As for the present one, it is still unfinished."

3. VIOLATION OF CITIZENS’ RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

President Egal has severely infringed upon the rights and civil liberties of citizens, which are a fundamental obligation guaranteed by the Constitution, as stipulated in Article 21(1) and Article 25(3).

The constitutional provisions relevant to this section, which have been clearly violated, include:

1. Article 25(1) and (2)

2. Article 23(3)

3. Article 27(1) and (2)

4. Article 28(1) and (2)

The rights and freedoms set out in the above-mentioned articles have been undermined by President Egal through the establishment of so-called National and Regional Security Committees.

These committees were granted extensive quasi-judicial powers and operated under an unlawful system of adjudication outside the framework of the Constitution and the law.

This is evidenced by the fact that hundreds of citizens remain imprisoned without having been brought before an independent judiciary, to which they are constitutionally entitled.

Furthermore, although the House of Representatives annulled the Public Order Law on 8 January 1999, which these committees had been relying upon, the decision was ignored. No replacement legislation was submitted to the House, in clear violation of Article 90(14) of the Constitution, which requires the President to exercise his duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

II. TREASON AGAINST THE NATION

The most solemn trust entrusted to President Egal was the preservation and advancement of the independence of the Republic of Somaliland. However, on numerous occasions he has acted in a manner inconsistent with that fundamental objective. Such conduct is evidenced by:

1. Public speeches delivered by the President;

2. Interviews he granted to newspapers and the media; and

3. Statements attributed to foreign diplomats.

The following are illustrative examples:

1. Statements by the Egyptian official Faiza Abou El-Naga

In mid-August 1999, Faiza Abou El-Naga, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry official responsible for African Affairs, visited Somaliland.

According to reports published by The Economist and Arab News, citing Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP), as well as interviews she gave to the Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriya and the BBC Arabic Service, she consistently stated:

"Egypt regards Somalia as one entity, and one entity cannot be divided. We discussed Mr. Egal's proposal for federalism. He attached certain conditions to it, and it appeared to be a reasonable approach."

2. United Kingdom Foreign Office communication (6 December 2000)

A communication dated 6 December 2000 from the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated:

"In our most recent discussions with the President of Somaliland, he indicated that if the Transitional Government succeeded in establishing its authority in southern Somalia, the Somaliland administration would, in principle, be prepared to enter into negotiations concerning either renewed union or the establishment of a Somali federal state."

3. Interview with New African

In an interview published in the United Kingdom-based monthly magazine New African, President Egal was reported as saying:

"For nine years we have waited for the groups in southern Somalia to establish some form of central government or administration so that we could talk and negotiate with them."

He further stated:

"Even as in Lebanon, we would seek arrangements whereby, if those in the South held the Ministry of the Interior, we would hold the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; if they held the Presidency, we would hold the office of Prime Minister."

The various statements and reports issued by foreign governments concerning these matters were never publicly denied by President Egal.

4. Position regarding the Djibouti Peace Conference

The United Nations Secretary-General's report on the situation in Somalia, dated 16 August 1999, indicated that President Egal had moderated his previous position.

Furthermore, on 23 March 2000, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, David Stephen, stated that President Egal had agreed to participate in the Djibouti Conference.

It is also beyond dispute that President Egal strongly supported both the early stages of the Djibouti Peace Conference and President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

In a speech delivered in Hargeisa on 13 November 1999, President Egal stated:

"That conference (the Arta Conference) poses no danger to us. We see no threat coming from outside; the real danger lies within ourselves."

He also stated:

"There is no one better suited than President Ismail Omar Guelleh to lead that reconciliation conference, and I fully support him."

5. Statement made in France (February 1998)

While visiting France in February 1998, President Egal appealed to the international community by stating that:

"At this time, Somaliland should be treated as an autonomous region, similar to Palestine."

The proposal was inconsistent with the constitutional powers vested in the President under Article 90 and constituted a serious departure from the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Somaliland guaranteed under Article 1 of the Constitution, which the President was constitutionally obliged to uphold.

At the very time he was making these remarks abroad, President Egal was assuring the people of Somaliland that the eyes and ears of the international community were open to Somaliland and that the forthcoming IGAD Summit in Djibouti would consider the Somaliland question, with the expectation that Somaliland would receive full recognition.

6. Speech at the Somaliland Reconstruction Conference (21 October 1998)

In a speech delivered at the Somaliland Reconstruction Conference held in Hargeisa on 21 October 1998, attended by diplomats, scholars, and international dignitaries, President Egal stated:

"We cannot mislead the world by claiming to be a state when we are not."

He further stated:

"We cannot expect others to believe we are something that we are not. What we have achieved is limited. We cannot continue to present an imaginary picture to the world. We cannot live on illusions; another course must be found."

7. BBC Somali Service interview

The above examples were not the only occasions on which President Egal was alleged to have undermined Somaliland's independence. In an interview with the BBC Somali Service, he stated:

"Somalia and Somaliland will share a common currency, a common passport, and other common institutions."

DAYS OF TERM EXTENSIONS OF THE PARLIAMENT, LOCAL COUNCILS, AND THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND

 

DAYS OF TERM EXTENSIONS OF THE PARLIAMENT, LOCAL COUNCILS, AND THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND

 

 

 

 

Written by Lawyer Muuse Yuusuf Maxamed 

Member of somaliland lawyer's association SOLLA 

30 April 2026

 

A term extension is a legal decision to maintain elected officials in office beyond the expiration of their original mandate, in order to avoid a constitutional vacuum until a new election can be held.

In Somaliland, a lawful extension of term is carried out in accordance with Article 42(3) and Article 83(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, which state as follows:

 

Article 42:  Period of Office and Election Term

3. If the election of the House of Representatives cannot be conducted because of dire circumstances, the outgoing House shall continue in office until the end of these circumstances and a new House is elected. Dire circumstances are: a wide war, internal instability, serious natural disasters, such as earthquakes, epidemic diseases, (and) serious famines; and shall be determined and resolved by the House of Elders on the proposal of the Council of Government.

 

Article 83: Election Procedures

 

5. If on the expiry of the term of office of the President and the Vice-President, it is not possible, because of security considerations, to hold the election of the President and the Vice-President, the House of Elders shall extend their term of office whilst taking into consideration the period in which the problems can be overcome and the election can be held.

There is also a provision known as Article 19, which has become the mechanism for the excessive term extensions of the Somaliland House of Elders.

This provision originates from the law governing the indirect election of the House of Elders, which was not approved in its entirety. Instead, only Article 19 was extracted and specifically approved by the Somaliland House of Representatives in March 2003

It provides that The election of the House of Elders shall always take place one year after the elections of the House of Representatives and the Presidency.

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On the other hand, the Local Councils of Somaliland have been granted term extensions on several occasions, despite the absence of a law that clearly regulates such extensions. In 2007, when a term extension was first required, the authority to grant it was informally, and without a clear legal basis, delegated to the House of Elders (Guurti). Since that time, the same approach has consistently been used to extend the terms of the Local Councils. 

 

We will go through, one by one, the days of the term extensions of the parliamentary, local council, and presidential institutions:

FIRST TERM EXTENSION

19 APRIL 1994

Owing to the civil war that was ongoing in the country, both Houses of Parliament extended the term of the President and the National Charter by one and a half years (18 months), from 16 May 1995 to 16 November 1996. Likewise, Parliament extended its own term for the same period. Accordingly, this became the first term extension carried out since Somaliland regained its independence. It was the first ever term extension to take place in Somaliland, and the only one that was made for a justified reason.

During that period, the nation was governed under a National Charter that contained no provisions regarding the extension of the term of office. Consequently, the matter was referred to the bicameral Parliament of the time. Following a joint session, they resolved to implement the necessary term extension themselves

 

SECOND TERM EXTENSION

During the period when President Egal was engaged in the effort to transition the country toward a multi-party system, his constitutional term of office came to an end. Consequently, he submitted a request for a term extension to the House of Elders, in accordance with Article 83 of the Constitution

12 JANUARY 2002 

 

The House of Elders of the Republic of Somaliland granted a one-year extension to the term of President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal and his Vice President.

 

This extension began on 23 February 2002 and ended on 23 February 2003.

 

It became the second presidential term extension in Somaliland’s history, and the first to take place following the full implementation of the new Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland.

 

THIRD TERM EXTENSION

On 05 March 2002, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, submitted a letter to the Somaliland House of Elders informing them that the term of the House of Representatives had come to an end.

27 APRIL 2002.

The House of Elders of Somaliland granted a one-year extension to the House of Representatives, beginning on 25 May 2002 and ending on 25 May 2003, in accordance with Article 42(3) of the Constitution. This marked the First time the House of Representatives received a term extension since the Constitution came into force, and it was also the Second overall term extension granted to the House of Representatives of Somaliland.

 

FOURTH TERM EXTENSIONS 

President Rayaale, who intended to hold one-person-one-vote elections, submitted a request for a term extension to the House of Elders.          The Somaliland House of Elders thus carried out the fourth term extension in the country.

18 JANUARY 2003

The House of Elders of Somaliland extended the term of the President and Vice President by 81 days, starting from 23 February 2003 and ending on 15 May 2003. This was the Third presidential term extension in Somaliland.

 

FIFTH TERM EXTENSIONS

03 MARCH 2003 The House of Elders of Somaliland granted the House of Representatives a two-year term extension, running from 25 May 2003 to 25 May 2005. This marked the Third term extension granted to the House of Representatives.

 

SIXTH TERM EXTENSIONS

28 MAY 2005 The House of Elders of Somaliland granted the House of Representatives a 143-day term extension, running from 25 May 2005 to 15 October 2005. At the same time, the House of Elders itself received a term extension of one year and 143 days, which was set to end on 31 October 2006.

This marked the Fourth term extension received by the House of Representatives and the Second term extension received by the House of Elders.

 

SEVENTH TERM EXTENSIONS

22 APRIL 2006 President Rayaale submitted a written request to the Constitutional Court of Somaliland seeking a legal advisory opinion on whether the House of Elders (Guurti) could extend its own term of office.

 

On 24 APRIL, the Court ruled that the House of Elders has the right to extend its own term of office, reasoning that the Constitution permits term extensions for other national institutions such as the President and the House of Representatives and therefore the House of Elders also possesses an equivalent authority to extend its own tenure.

06 MAY 2006 The Somaliland House of Elders granted itself a four-year term extension, running from 31 October 2006 to 31 October 2010.

This became the Third term extension received by the House of Elders.

 

EIGHTH TERM EXTENSION

12 DECEMBER 2007 The House of Elders of Somaliland granted the local councils a six-month term extension, which started on 26 December 2007 and ended on 1 July 2008. It was the First term extension granted to the local councils.

There was no law stating how the terms of the councils could be extended or which authority had the power to extend them. However, the House of Elders assumed that authority. This extension did not cause political conflict, as the political parties and the government had already agreed to prioritize the holding of the presidential election.

 

NINTH TERM EXTENSION

10 APRIL 2008 The Somaliland House of Elders extended the term of office of the President and Vice President by one year, from 15 May 2008 to 16 May 2009.  This became the Fourth term extension related to the Somaliland presidential electoral cycle.

 

TENTH TERM EXTENSION

28 MARCH 2009 The House of Elders of Somaliland extended the term of President Dahir Rayaale and his vice president by five months and thirteen days, effective from 16 May to 29 October 2009. The Elders also proposed that the presidential election be held on 29 September 2009.

This became the Fifth term extension related to the Somaliland presidential electoral cycle.

 

ELEVENTH TERM EXTENSION

25 SEPTEMBER 2009 Friday is a day of worship and a public holiday for the people of Somaliland and Muslims, but the Somaliland House of Elders held an unprecedented session. On the morning of Friday, 25 September, after 77 members of the House of Elders gathered in the chamber, they extended President Rayaale’s term without specifying an end date, which led to violent protests in Hargeisa.

This became the Sixth term extension related to the Somaliland presidential electoral cycle.

 

TWELFTH TERM EXTENSION

07 SEPTEMBER 2010 The House of Elders of Somaliland extended the term of the House of Representatives by two years and eight months, from 29/10/2010 to 29/6/2013. They also granted a one-and-a-half-year extension to the local councils, from 7 October 2010 to 7/4/2012. Furthermore, the House of Elders themselves automatically received a term extension of three years and eight months, ending on 29 June 2014.

It became the first term extension granted to the directly elected House of Representatives, and also the Fifth term extension overall given to the House of Representatives.

It was also the Fourth term extension of the House of Elders, and the second term extension of the Local Councils.

 

THIRTEENTH TERM EXTENSION

8 April 2013 The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud “Silanyo”, submitted a letter to the House of Elders of Somaliland informing them that both Houses of Parliament required a term extension, as they had fallen behind the scheduled timetable.

The House of Elders then deliberated on the matter and granted the requested term extension.

15 APRIL 2013 The House of Elders of Somaliland granted a term extension to the House of Representatives of two years, one month, and 27 days, starting from 29 June 2013 and ending on 25 August 2015. The House of Elders also recommended that the election of the House of Representatives be held in June 2015. Likewise, the House of Elders extended its own term by three years, one month, and 27 days, ending on 25 August 2016

It became the Sixth term extension granted to the House of Representatives, and also the Fifth term extension of the House of Elders.

FOURTEENTH TERM EXTENSION

11 MAY 2015 The House of Elders of Somaliland extended the term of the President, the Vice President, and the House of Representatives of Somaliland by 1-year and 9-months, from 28 July 2015 to 27 April 2017. Similarly, the House of Elders itself received a 2-year and 9-month extension, setting its new term end date as 27 April 2018. 

It became the first term extension granted to President Silanyo, and also the Seventh term extension related to the presidential electoral cycle. It was also the Seventh term extension granted to the House of Representatives, and the Sixth term extension of the House of Elders.

 

FIFTEENTH TERM EXTENSION

06 MARCH 2017 The House of Elders of Somaliland granted a seven-and-a-half-month extension to the President and his Vice President, starting from 27 April and ending on 13 December 2017. Similarly, the House of Elders extended the term of the House of Representatives and the local councils by two years, from 27 April 2017 to 27 April 2019. Meanwhile, the House of Elders of Somaliland itself received a three-year extension, ending on 27 April 2020 also the Eighth term extension related to the presidential electoral cycle and It was also the Eighth term extension granted to the House of Representatives, and the Seventh term extension of the House of Elders.

 

SIXTEENTH TERM EXTENSION

21 JANUARY 2019 The House of Elders of Somaliland extended the term of the House of Representatives by nine months, from 27 April 2019 to 27 January 2020.

Similarly, the House of Elders itself received an extension of one year and nine months, ending on 27 January 2021. The House of Elders also proposed that the elections for the House of Representatives be held in December 2019.

It became the Ninth term extension granted to the House of Representatives, and also the Eighth term extension of the House of Elders of Somaliland.

 

SEVENTEENTH TERM EXTENSION

24 NOVEMBER  2019 The House of Elders extended the term of the House of Representatives by two years, from 27 January 2020 to 27 January 2022. Similarly, the House of Elders itself was granted a three-year extension, ending on 27 January 2023.

It became the Tenth term extension granted to the House of Representatives, and also the Ninth term extension of the House of Elders of Somaliland.

 

In mid JANUARY, the President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, submitted a letter to the House of Elders requesting a reduction of the previously granted term extension of the House of Representatives.

01 February 2021, the House of Elders of Somaliland appointed a 31-member committee to review a request from the President, the National Electoral Commission, and political parties. The request concerned aligning the previously extended term of the House of Representatives with the election timetable set by the National Electoral Commission for the House of Representatives and Local Councils. On the following day, 02 February, the House of Elders held a session in which it decided to shorten the previously granted term extension of the House of Representatives, setting it to expire on 30 June 2021.

 

EIGHTEENTH TERM EXTENSION

01 OCTOBER 2022 The House of Elders of Somaliland, for the First time, granted a two-year term extension to President Muse Bihi Abdi and his Vice President, running from 13 November 2022 to 13 November 2024. Similarly, the House of Elders itself was granted a four-year term extension, running from 27 January 2023 to 27 January 2027. This became the Ninth term extension related to the presidential electoral cycle, and also the Tenth term extension of the House of Elders.

 

NINETEENTH TERM EXTENSION

31 January 2026 The National Electoral Commission of Somaliland announced that the elections for the Local Councils and the House of Representatives, scheduled for 31 May 2026, would not be held on time.

Due to drought, conflicts, and challenges related to voter registration, the Commission proposed a ten-month extension, running from 31 May 2026 to 31 March 2027.

18 APRIL 2026 The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro,” submitted a letter with reference number JSL/XM/GG/081/2-257/042026 to the House of Elders of Somaliland. The letter contained a proposal for a term extension for the House of Representatives and the local councils. This follows the recommendation of the National Electoral Commission issued on January 31, which stated that elections could not be held on their originally scheduled date of May 31, 2026, and that an additional 10 months would be required to complete the electoral process. 20 APRIL The House of Elders of Somaliland appointed a committee of 25 members, consisting of 21 members, the THREE members of the House leadership, and the Secretary-General of the House of Elders. The committee was tasked with providing recommendations on the extension of the terms of the House of Representatives and the Local Councils of Somaliland. On 22 and 23 April, the committee met with the national political parties and the Somaliland National Electoral Commission.

 

28 APRIL 2026 The House of Elders of Somaliland granted the House of Representatives and the local councils a two-year and three-month term extension, running from 7 July 2026 to 7 October 2028.

Similarly, the House of Elders itself received a three-year and three-month term extension, ending on 7 October 2029. “This became the Eleventh term extension for the House of Representatives and the House of Elders, and the Third term extension for the local councils.”

 

 

These are two situations that are less than formal term extensions

07 APRIL 2012

The previous extension granted to Somaliland’s local councils had expired, and no further extension was provided. As a result, they continued to remain in office for 235 days until the local council elections were held on 28 November 2012, without having any legal mandate.

 

2 APRIL 2019

The previous term extension of Somaliland’s local councils had expired, and no further extension was granted. They continued to serve in office for two years, one month, and a half until the newly elected local councils, chosen on 31 May 2021, took over their duties. This was the second time such a situation had occurred.

 

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON TIME? IF YES, YOU WERE SLEEPING, WAKE UP!

 DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON TIME?

IF YES, YOU WERE SLEEPING, WAKE UP!

Today, November 9, 2025, is 6 months and 22 days until the joint elections for the House of Representatives and Local Councils, which are scheduled for May 31, 2026.

So, the question worth asking is: Can the elections for the local councils and the House of Representatives be held at that time?

1. ELECTION VOTER REGISTRATION

Whether a New Election Voter Registration System Begins Today Or a Reopening of Election Voter Registration

a).   If a decision is made to conduct a new registration, it can be expected to take more than 6 months or more. If we use past experience

For example, the Voter Registration for the last Somaliland election began in the country on 16 January 2016 with a month-long period allocated to each region, but it officially ended in September 2016.

So if the new registration process starts today, when will it end?

Suppose it takes six months, will it be enough for the elections?

It is clear that it will not be enough!

b) Again, if the Voter Registration Reopening Process were to start today, how long would it take?

If we take the last one, it took 2 months!

This is in contradiction with the General Law on Elections and Voter Registration in Somaliland No.91.

ARTICLE 42, PARAGRAPH 2, which states that it is mandatory for every election to be announced or completed SIX MONTHS before the polling day.

The six months mentioned in the law and the two months during which registration is ongoing are eight months, which means that neither of the two types of Voter Registration in Somaliland will cover the period remaining before the election.

2. ON ELECTION LAWS

General Law on Elections & Voter Registration91

When the various laws on elections (Local Councils, Presidency, Representatives and Voter Registration) were unified and issued as the General Law on Elections and Voters (Law No. 91/2020), important provisions that were previously included in the previous laws were removed.

According to the ELECTION LAW OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES No2/202005, ARTICLE 12, paragraphs 5, 6 and 7. These were the procedures to be followed if the election of representatives in Somaliland could not be held in a District or Region, which were as follows:-

• a. (5) If a region of the country is faced with difficult circumstances or conditions that do not allow for elections to be held, the National Electoral Commission will assess and make a decision on those conditions, upon mutual agreement between the Government and the National Parties.

• b. (6) In polling stations where elections are not held, the number of seats allocated to those stations shall be divided among the parties in proportion to the total number of valid votes received in the region.

• c. (7) If, however, the elections are not held in an entire region, the parties shall receive seats in that region in proportion to the total number of valid votes they received in the country. This shall be done in accordance with their names.”

So that article is now ARTICLE 77, RULE 91.

It needs to be added to the paragraphs we mentioned above.

What about the Council that wants an extension of time that depends on the law being amended? Will it do it!?

It's not, and I wonder if I got rain where I wanted!

PLEASE TELL ME THE POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING THE ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL COUNCILS AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON 31 MAY 2026.

Fadhigii 27-aad ee Shirka Golaha Wasiirrada Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland

 

Fadhigii 27-aad ee Shirka Golaha Wasiirrada Jammhuuriyadda Somaliland oo uu Shir-gudoominayey Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland Mudane Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Cabdilaahi (Cirro) oo uu wehelinayey Madaxweyne ku-xigeenka JSL Mudane Maxamed Cali Aw Cabdi ayaa maanta ka qabsoomay Qasriga Madaxtooyada Somaliland.

Qodobbada maanta lagaga wada hadlay Fadhigii 27-aad waxa ka mid ahaa:

𝟏. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐚 𝐢𝐲𝐨 𝐗𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐚:

Waxa ka war bixiyey Wasiiru-Dawlaha Wasaaradda Arrimaha Gudaha iyo Amniga, Mudane Cabdirashiid Maxamed Axmed

(Magaalo), isaga oo ka xog warramay shaqaaqooyinkii ka dhacay Degmada Dhahar iyo xaaladihii ugu dambeeyey. Sida oo kale Wasiiru-Dawluhu waxa kale oo uu Golaha Wasiirrada u sheegay in marka laga tago falalka dambiyeedyada maalinlaha ah ee ka dhaca bulshada iyo Shilalka Gaadiidka, in amniga iyo xasilloonida dalku uu sugan yahay, isla markaana aanay jirin wax qalalaase ama iska hor imaad ah.

𝟐. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐪𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚:

Wasiirka iyo Wasiiru-Dawlaha Wasaaradda Maaliyadda iyo Horumarinta Dhaqaalaha Mudane Cabdillaahi Xasan Aadan (oo hor-jooge ka ah Guddida Dhaqaalaha Qaranka) iyo Mudane Ismaaciil Mawliid Cabdilaahi ayaa wadajir Golaha Wasiirrada warbixin qoto dheer ka siiyey Qorshaha, Talaaboyinka iyo Istaraatiijiyadaha loo baahan yahay in mustaqbalka dhaw la qaado si kor loogu qaadayo koboca Dhaqaalaha Dalka. Labada Mas'uul ee ugu sarreeya Wasaaradda Maaliyadda iyo Horumarinta Dhaqaalaha waxa kale oo ay ka war bixiyeen qaabka loo dardar gelin karo wax-soo-saarka-gudaha, iyada oo diiradda la saarayo horumarinta maalgashiga, taakuleynta warshadaha dalka, kor u qaadista dakhliga, dib u habeynta Siyaasadaha iyo Xeerarka si kor loogu qaado wax soo saarka dalka gudihiisa (sida Milixda, Kalluunka, Dalagga Beeraha, Sibidhka, Caanaha, iwm).

𝟑) 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐗𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐤𝐚:

Waxa Golaha warbixin ka siiyey Wasiirka Wasaaradda Horumarinta Caafimaadka, Mudane Dr. Xuseen Bashiir Xirsi. Wasiirku waxa uu ka xog warramay khataraha caafimaadka bulshada ee ka iman kara Farmasiyada iyo Xarumaha Caafimaadka ee gaarka loo leeyahay. Wasiirku waxa uu sheegay in ay lagama maarmaan tahay in Xarumaha iyo Farmasiyada lagu sameeyo

kormeer iyo daba-gal joogto ah, sidoo kalena la adkeeyo shuruuradaha bixinta ruqsadaha ganacsiga caafimaadka (commercial license) si bulshada looga bedbaadiyo khataraha caafimaad ee kaga iman kara dad aan aqoon iyo khibrad u lahayd adeegyada caafimaadka iyo daawada.

𝟒) 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐚 𝐢𝐲𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐱𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐞𝐞 𝐐𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐉𝐒𝐋:

Golaha Wasiirrada ayaa dood dheer ka yeeshay Siyaasadda Waxbarashada Qaranka JSL oo in muddo ah hor taallay Golaha. Golaha Wasiirradu waxa ay si adag uga doodeen isla markaana ay hoosta ka xarriiqeen baahida loo qabo kor u qaadista tayada Waxbarashada dalka iyo hirgelinta nidaam waxbarasho oo casriga ah oo la jaan-qaadi kara xilliga lagu jiro.

Doodda waxa soo xidhay Wasiirka Waxbarashada, Barbaarinta iyo Sayniska Mudane Professor Ismaaciil Ducaale Yuusuf, isaga oo sheegay in ay ka Wasaarad ahaan ka go’an tahay dejinta iyo hirgelinta Siyaasad Waxbarasho iyo Manhaj casri ah oo la jaan qaadaya Halbeegyada Caalamiga ah ee hadda jira iyo ka rumaynta himilooyinka horumarinta Qaranka JSL.

Intaa kadib, Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland Mudane Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Cabdilaahi (Cirro) ayaa cod geliyey Siyaasadda Waxbarashada, kadibna Golaha Wasiirradu waxa ay cod aqlabiyad leh ku ansixiyeen Siyaasadda Waxbarashada ee Qaranka JSL, iyada oo aanay jirin cid diiday iyo cid ka aamustay.

Fadhigii 28-aad ee Shirka Golaha Wasiirrada Jammhuuriyadda Somaliland

 

𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐗𝐀𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐃

Fadhigii 28-aad ee Shirka Golaha Wasiirrada Jammhuuriyadda Somaliland oo uu Shir-gudoominayey Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland Mudane Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Cabdilaahi (Cirro) oo uu wehelinayey Madaxweyne ku-xigeenka JSL Mudane Maxamed Cali Aw Cabdi ayaa maanta ka qabsoomay Qasriga Madaxtooyada Somaliland.

Qodobbada maanta lagaga wada hadlay Fadhigii 28-aad waxa ka mid ahaa:

𝟏. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐚 𝐢𝐲𝐨 𝐗𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐚:

Waxa ka war bixiyey Wasiirka Wasaaradda Arrimaha Gudaha iyo Amniga Mudane Cabdalle Maxamed Carab. Wasiirku waxa uu Golaha u sheegay in guud ahaanba Amniga lixda Gobol ee dalku uu sugan yahay, isla markaana aanay jirin wax qalalaase ama xasilooni darro ah, marka laga reebo fal dambiyeedyada maalinlaha ah ee ka dhex dhaca Bulshada.

𝟐. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐪𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐚:

Waxa ka war bixiyey Wasiirka Maaliyadda iyo Horumarinta Dhaqaalaha Mudane Cabdillaahi Xasan Aadan. Wasiirku waxa uu sheegay in dedaal badan oo ay Wasaaraddu gelisay kaddib, ay

hawlaha ururinta Qaranku u socdaan sidii loogu talo galay. Wasiirku waxa uu Golaha u sheegay xagga Maaraynta iyo Maamulka Deeqaha Dibedda, Wasaaraddu iyada oo ka duulaysa wanaajinta xidhiidhka Qaadhaan Bixiyayaasha, waxa ay xoojisay aqoonta shaqaalaha Xafiiska Xisaabaadka Deeqaha Dibedda (External Assistance Fiduciary Section).

Wasiirku waxa uu sheegay in ay Wasaaraddu ku guulaystay xoojinta xidhiidhka iyo la-macaamilka Baanka Adduunka. Sidoo kale, Wasaaraddu waxa ay diyaarisay Jadwalka Diyaarinta Miisaaniyadda 2026-ka iyo dhammaan warbixinaha saldhigga u ah diyaarteeda.

𝟑. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐐𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐤𝐚 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚:

Waxa ka war bixiyey Madaxweyne ku-xigeenka JSL, ahna Guddoomiyaha Guddida Gurmadka Abaaraha Mudane Maxamed Cali Aw Cabdi, isa isaga oo sheegay in guddi ahaan ay maanta yeesheen kulankii 1-aad. Kulankaasi waxa ay Guddida Heer Qaran kaga arrinsanayeen isku-dubbaridka iyo gaadhsiinta gargaarka degdegga ah sida biyaha, cuntada, iyo daawooyinka bulshada reer Somaliland ee Abaaraha ku tabaaloobay.

Madaxweyne ku-xigeenka JSL, waxa kale oo uu Golaha u sheegay in kulankaasi Xubnaha Guddida ay kaga wada hadleen dhammaystirka qaab-dhismeedka Guddida Heer Qaran ee Gurmadka Abaaraha, samaynta guddiyada Gurmadka Abaaraha ee heer Gobol iyo heer Degmo ee Gobollada dalka oo dhan, iyo la socodka xogaha maalinlaha ah ee xaaladaha Abaaraha dalka oo dhan. Guddidu waxa ay baaq iyo qaylo-dhaanba Beesha Caalamka, UN-ta iyo Waddammada saaxiibka la ah Somaliland.

𝟒. 𝐗𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢 (𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐝) (𝐐𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝟐-𝐚𝐚𝐝):

Waxa si wadajir ah uga war bixiyey Wasiirka Wasaaradda Caddaaladda Mudane Yoonis Axmed Yoonis iyo Garyaqaanka Guud ee Xukuumadda, Mudane Cali Baashe Maxamed.

Wasiir Yoonis waxa uu Golaha u sheegay in Qabyo-Qoraalka Mashruucan ay Wasaaraddu gelisay dedaal badan, maadaama uu kor u qaadayo helitaanka Caddaaladda ee muwaadiniinta. Dhinaca kale, Wasiirku waxa uu hoosta ka xarriiqay in Adeegga Kaalmo Sharci uu ka mid yahay ballanqaadyadii ay Xukuumadda Wadajir iyo Waxqabad u samaysay shacabka JSL xilligii ololaha. Wasiirka Caddaaladdu waxa uu sheegay in Xeerkan ay saldhig u yihiin Mabaadii'da shanta ah ee kala ah:

1. Shareecada Islaamka,

2. Dastuurka Jamhuuriyada Somaliland Qodobkiisa 28aad, farqaddiisa 3-aad,

3. Heshiisyada Caalamiga ah ee daryeelka sharci ee dadka nugul,

4. Ilaalinta iyo Dhawridda Xuquuqda Bini'aadamka,

5. Ixtiraamka iyo ku dhaqanka Sharciga.

Ugu dambayntii, Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland Mudane Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Cabdilaahi (Cirro) waxa uu Xubnaha Golaha Wasiirrada faray in Wasaarad walba ay soo gudbiso waxqabadkeedii 6-dii bilood ee ina dhaafay, isaga oo Madaxweynuhu Wasaaradda Horumarinta Maalgashiga iyo Warshadaha ku bogaadiyey soo gudbinta waxqabadkeedii 6-da bilood.

𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐋𝐄𝐇