# Kaah (Kaah Alliance for Equality and Development)

> Kaah, Somaliland's newest national party: founding in 2022, its leader Mohamoud Hashi Abdi, the 2024 party contest, its alliance with Waddani and its positions since.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/government/kaah-party/
Last checked: 2026-11-13
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## What is Kaah?

Kaah is one of the three national political parties of Somaliland. Its full Somali name is *Isbahaysiga Sinnaanta iyo Horumarka Kaah*, the Kaah Alliance for Equality and Development ([Wikipedia, Kaah Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaah_Alliance_for_Equality_and_Development)). *Kaah* means "dawn" or "first light". Its headquarters are in Hargeisa.

It is not the same as the money transfer company [Kaah Express](/en/businesses/kaah-express-and-kims/).

## Who founded it?

Mohamoud Hashi Abdi founded Kaah as a political association on 21 July 2022 in Hargeisa ([Horn Diplomat, 21 Jul 2022](https://www.horndiplomat.com/2022/07/21/somaliland-kaah-political-association-the-first-political-association-of-its-scope-established-in-hargeisa/)). He had served as Minister of the Presidency under President [Muse Bihi Abdi](/en/people/muse-bihi-abdi/), of the Kulmiye party ([Somaliland Standard](https://somalilandstandard.com/ex-presidential-affairs-minister-establishes-kaah-political-organization)). Wikipedia records Kaah as a split from Kulmiye ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaah_Alliance_for_Equality_and_Development)).

Horn Diplomat reported a large turnout at Kaah's rallies as it campaigned for party status ([Horn Diplomat](https://www.horndiplomat.com/?p=46646)).

## How did Kaah become a national party?

Somaliland's constitution allows only three national parties. Every ten years, parties and new associations compete for the three places in a public vote ([University of Tartu, De Facto States Research Unit, 9 Dec 2024](https://defactostates.ut.ee/the-system-worked-somalilands-2024-presidential-and-political-party-elections/)).

On 13 November 2024, ten parties and associations stood. The National Electoral Commission's interim results were ([Somaliland NEC](https://slnec.net/news/somaliland-national-electoral-commission-releases-interim-results-of-the-november-13-double-election)):

- **Waddani:** 216,284 votes
- **Kaah:** 131,507 votes
- **Kulmiye:** 108,100 votes
- **Horseed:** 87,218
- **Hilaac:** 59,569
- **Barwaaqo:** 16,852
- **UCID:** 10,105
- **Talowadaag:** 6,080
- **Rejo:** 2,083
- **Shacabka:** 2,014

The top three hold national party status for ten years (same source). Kaah's place was formally confirmed on 9 January 2025 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaah_Alliance_for_Equality_and_Development)). It replaced [UCID](/en/government/ucid-justice-and-welfare-party/), the oldest party.

## Its 2024 alliance with Waddani

Kaah did not field a presidential candidate in 2024. It signed a pre-election agreement with [Waddani](/en/government/waddani-party/). Mohamoud Hashi Abdi signed it with Waddani's candidate, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi "Irro", and Waddani's chair, Hersi Ali Haji Hassan ([Somaliland Chronicle, 5 Aug 2024](https://www.somalilandchronicle.com/2024/08/05/wadani-kaah-coalition-restructuring-somaliland-political-landscape)). Irro won the presidency with 63.92 percent ([University of Tartu, 2024](https://defactostates.ut.ee/the-system-worked-somalilands-2024-presidential-and-political-party-elections/)).

## What has Kaah said since 2025?

- **Eastern [Sool](/en/regions/sool/), October 2025:** Kaah warned of rising tension and outside interference in eastern Sool ([AllAfrica, 1 Oct 2025](https://allafrica.com/stories/202510010096.html)).
- **Foreign policy, July 2026:** Mohamoud Hashi Abdi accused the Waddani government of a foreign policy of "insults and public condemnation" toward countries including Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and [Türkiye](/en/relations/turkey/). He called Djibouti "a brotherly country" to engage by dialogue ([Dawan Africa, 2 Jul 2026](https://www.dawan.africa/news/kaah-party-accuses-somaliland-government-of-pursuing-hostile-diplomacy)).
- **Recognition:** in the same speech he said, "We believe the recognition we received is not full recognition." He argued full recognition needs UN member states and a seat in international bodies (same source). Israel recognised Somaliland on 26 December 2025.
- **Embassy in Jerusalem:** Kaah opposed the government's plan to open an embassy in Jerusalem (same source).

## Related pages

- [Elections in Somaliland](/en/institutions/elections-in-somaliland/)
- [Kulmiye](/en/government/kulmiye-party/)
- [The 2024 Somaliland presidential election](/en/history/somaliland-presidential-election-2024/)
- [Somaliland, 1991 to 2026](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/)

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