Leaders and statesmen
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo (Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud Siilaanyo)
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, known as Silanyo (1938–2024), was an economist who served the Somali Republic as a minister in the 1970s, chaired the Somali National Movement from 1984 to 1990, and was President of Somaliland from 2010 to 2017. He died in Hargeisa on 15 November 2024.
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud SilanyoSilanyo · Siilaanyo
- Lived
- 1938 to 2024
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 4 sources
Who was he?
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, known by his nickname Silanyo, was President of Somaliland from 2010 to 2017. Earlier he was a minister in the Somali government and the longest-serving chairman of the Somali National Movement (SNM) (Wikipedia, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud).
Somaliland declared its independence in 1991. Israel recognised it on 26 December 2025; most states and the African Union regard it as part of Somalia. See Somaliland, 1991 to 2026.
Early life and study
He was born on 1 June 1938 in Burao. His father was a merchant seaman, and he was the only one of six children to go to school, with the help of an uncle (Wikipedia). His family is Habar Jeclo (Isaaq). He studied at Sheikh and Amoud, then in London from 1958. He earned a bachelor's degree (1963) and a master's (1965) in economics at the University of Manchester (same source).
In the Somali government
From 1965 he worked at the Ministry of Planning in Mogadishu. He was Minister of Planning from 1969 to 1973 and Minister of Commerce from 1973 to 1978 and from 1980 to 1982 (Wikipedia).
The SNM
He joined the SNM, which had been formed in London in 1981 (Library of Congress, Somalia: A Country Study, 1992). He chaired its UK branch from 1982, building offices abroad, and chaired the whole movement from 1984 to 1990 (Wikipedia).
In Somaliland
He sat in Somaliland's House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997, was Finance Minister from 1997 to 1999 and Planning Minister from 1999 to 2000 (Wikipedia). He founded the Kulmiye party.
In April 2003 he lost the presidential vote by 80 votes and accepted the court's ruling (Wikipedia, 2003 Somaliland presidential election). In June 2010 he won, and served as President until 2017. He then retired because of age and health (same sources).
His death
He died in Hargeisa on 15 November 2024, aged 86, while the votes of that month's election were being counted. He was given a state burial on 18 November (Somali Guardian, November 2024). Leaders in Mogadishu and Ethiopia sent condolences (same source).
In short
President of Somaliland from 2010 to 2017. He accepted the narrow result of the 2003 election.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud · en.wikipedia.org
- Library of Congress, Somalia: A Country Study, 1992 · countrystudies.us
- Wikipedia, 2003 Somaliland presidential election · en.wikipedia.org
- Somali Guardian, November 2024 · somaliguardian.com
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud SilanyoSilanyo · Siilaanyo
- Lived
- 1938 to 2024
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 4 sources
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Where this matters
- Muqdisho (Mogadishu) and BanaadirMogadishu (Muqdisho) is Somalia's capital and makes up the Banadir region, with about 2.97 million people in 20 districts.
- Hargeysa (Hargeisa) and Woqooyi GalbeedWoqooyi Galbeed is the north-western region that holds Hargeisa (Hargeysa) and the port of Berbera, with about 1 to 1.45 million people.
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
- Presidents of Somalia, 1960 to 2026Every president and acting president of Somalia from 1960 to 2026, with dates of office and links to each person's page.
- Prime Ministers of Somalia, 1956 to 2026Every Prime Minister and acting Prime Minister of Somalia from 1956 to 2026, with dates of office and links to each person's page.
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- Aden Abdulle Osman (Aadan Cabdulle Cismaan, Aden Adde)Aden Adde (1908–2007), first President of the Somali Republic: his life, the Somali Youth League, 1960 and the peaceful handover of 1967.
- Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (Cabdirashiid Cali Sharmaarke)Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (1919–1969): first Prime Minister and second President of the Somali Republic, his life and his death in 1969.
- Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal)Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (1928–2002): Prime Minister in 1960 and 1967–69, President of Somaliland 1993–2002. His life and public roles.