Lists of office-holders
Presidents of Somaliland, 1991 to 2026
Somaliland has had six presidents since it declared itself a republic in 1991. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has been President since 12 December 2024. In 1960 the State of Somaliland existed for five days, led by Prime Minister Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal.
In short
The Republic of Somaliland was proclaimed in Burco on 18 May 1991 and its first president took office on 28 May 1991. Before that, the State of Somaliland existed for five days, from 26 June to 1 July 1960, with Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal as its Prime Minister. Somaliland was recognised by Israel on 26 December 2025; most states and the African Union regard it as part of Somalia. (World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland)
Each row below gives the holder's name in English and Somali spelling, dates in office and the source for that row. Dates are from World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland; where sources give different dates, the note says so. How we source: How we check facts.
State of Somaliland, 26 June to 1 July 1960
| Name | In office | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal) | 26 June 1960 to 1 July 1960 | Prime Minister | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
Republic of Somaliland, since 1991
| Name | In office | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur (Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Cali Tuur) | 28 May 1991 to 16 May 1993 | Somali National Movement | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
| Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal) | 16 May 1993 to 3 May 2002 | died in office | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
| Dahir Riyale Kahin (Daahir Rayaale Kaahin) | 3 May 2002 to 27 July 2010 | UDUB | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
| Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo (Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud Siilaanyo) | 27 July 2010 to 14 December 2017 | Kulmiye; Wikipedia gives 13 December 2017 as the end date | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
| Muse Bihi Abdi (Muuse Biixi Cabdi) | 14 December 2017 to 12 December 2024 | Kulmiye; Wikipedia gives 13 December 2017 to 13 December 2024 | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
| Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro (Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Cabdillaahi Cirro) | 12 December 2024 to now | Waddani; Wikipedia gives 13 December 2024 as the start date | World Statesmen, Somalia, Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland |
Related pages
Sources
We also publish every row of every office-holder list as one open data file: office-holders.csv.
Sources
- World Statesmen, Somalia · worldstatesmen.org
- Wikipedia, List of presidents of Somaliland · en.wikipedia.org
Toosoo!
Calankii is made by Toosoo, which works for one united, prosperous Somalia.
Can you help with Presidents of Somaliland, 1991 to 2026? Tell us what you can give.
I want to help with this
Where this matters
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- Deputy Prime Ministers of Somalia, 2005 to 2026Every holder of the office, with dates and a source on each row: Hussein Mohamed Farah Aidid, Abdihakim Mohamoud Haji-Faqi, Hussein Arab Isse, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Ridwan Hirsi Mohamed, Mohamed Omar Arte and others.
- Rival and transitional heads of Somalia, 1991 to 2012Who claimed or held the top post in Somalia from 1991 to 2012: Ali Mahdi, the Aidids, the National Salvation Council, the Arta and Federal transitional governments and the Islamic Courts.
- Governors of the Central Bank of Somalia, 1960 to 2026Every holder of the office, with dates and a source on each row: Abdi Adan Mohamed, Abdi Haji Abikar, Abdullahi Ahmed Addow, Abdirahman Nur Hirsi, Omar Ahmed Omar, Mahmoud Jama Ahmed and others.
- Ministers of Defence of Somalia, 1960 to 2026Every holder of the office, with dates and a source on each row: Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, Ali Ismail Yacqub, Hilowle Moalin Mohamed, Aden Isaq Ahmed, Abdirahman Haji Mumin, Haji Yusuf Iman Guled and others.
- Foreign Ministers of Somalia, 1960 to 2026Every holder of the office, with dates and a source on each row: Abdullahi Issa Mohamud, Ahmed Yusuf Dualeh, Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, Haji Farah Ali Omar, Omar Arteh Ghalib, Mohamed Siad Barre and others.
- Foreign Ministers of Somaliland, 1991 to 2026Every holder of the office, with dates and a source on each row: Sheikh Yusuf Ali Sheikh Madar, Osman Abdillahi Jama, Hassan Ali Awaleh, Suleiman Mahmud Adan, Mahmoud Salah Nur, Abdihamid Garad Jama and others.