# Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi (Maxamed Cali Aw Cabdi)

> Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi: Vice President of Somaliland since December 2024 and Waddani's vice-presidential candidate in 2017 and 2024.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/mohamed-aw-ali-abdi/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who is he?

Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi is the Vice President of [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/). He took office on 13 December 2024 alongside President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi "Irro", after the two won the November 2024 election as candidates of the Waddani party ([Wikipedia, Mohamed Aw-Ali Abdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Aw-Ali_Abdi)). Somali-language news reports call him by the title of ambassador ([Gabiley News, 31 October 2016](https://www.gabileynewsonline.com/2016/10/qabanqaabada-soo-dhaweynta-musharaxa-madaxweyne-ku-xigeen-ee-xisbiga-waddani-amb-maxamed-cali-aw-c)).

## Running mate in 2017

Waddani chose him as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2017 election, on a ticket led by [Abdirahman Irro](/en/people/abdirahman-mohamed-abdullahi-irro/) (Wikipedia). In November 2016 he led a large Waddani delegation to [Borama](/en/regions/awdal/) for a campaign event, and later that month he held an event in [Birmingham](/en/diaspora/birmingham/) in the United Kingdom. In April 2017 he led a Waddani delegation to Switzerland to meet people from the Somaliland diaspora (same source). The 2017 election was won by [Muse Bihi Abdi](/en/people/muse-bihi-abdi/) of the Kulmiye party ([Presidents of Somaliland](/en/institutions/presidents-of-somaliland/)).

## The 2024 election

In March 2021 Waddani again chose Irro and Aw-Ali as its candidates for the next presidential election, then planned for 2022 ([Berbera Today, 30 March 2021](https://berberatoday.com/2021/03/30/cabdiraxmaan-ciro-iyo-maxamed-cali-awcabdi-oo-markale-loo-doortay-musharixiinta-madaxweynaha-iyo-kuxigee)). The election was later moved to 2024 (Wikipedia).

The vote took place in November 2024. Voice of America reported that Irro's Waddani ticket won 63.92% of the vote, against 34.81% for President Muse Bihi Abdi and 0.74% for Faysal Ali Warabe. Independent observers described the election as peaceful ([Voice of America, 19 November 2024](https://www.voanews.com/a/opposition-leader-wins-somaliland-presidential-contest/7868957.html)).

## Vice President, 2024 to now

The new administration was sworn in on 13 December 2024 (Wikipedia). Aw-Ali succeeded Abdirahman Saylici, who had been Vice President since 2010 ([Vice Presidents of Somaliland](/en/institutions/vice-presidents-of-somaliland/)).

## Offices held

- Waddani candidate for Vice President, 2017
- Vice President of Somaliland, 13 December 2024 to now. See [Vice Presidents of Somaliland](/en/institutions/vice-presidents-of-somaliland/).

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