# 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.

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Last checked: 2026-11-12
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## Who was he?

Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal held the highest offices in two eras. In 1960 he led the [State of Somaliland](/en/states/state-of-somaliland-1960/) when the British protectorate became independent. He served the [Somali Republic](/en/states/somali-republic-1960-1969/) as a minister and then as Prime Minister. From 1993 to 2002 he was President of Somaliland ([Wikipedia, Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)).

## Early life

He was born on 15 August 1928 in [Oodweyne](/en/regions/togdheer/), in today's Togdheer region. He was the son of a merchant, and his family is Habar Awal (Isaaq) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)). He went to school in [British Somaliland](/en/history/british-somaliland-1884-1960/) and was then sent to study in the United Kingdom, which was unusual at the time (same source).

## 1960: two independence days

On 26 June 1960 the British protectorate became the independent State of Somaliland, and he was chosen as its Prime Minister ([Castagno, *Historical Dictionary of Somalia*, 1975, "Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal"](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). Five days later, on 1 July, it united with the former trust territory in the south to form the Somali Republic. See [Independence and union, 1960](/en/history/independence-and-union-26-june-1-july-1960/).

## In the Somali Republic

He was Minister of Defence from 1960 to 1961 and Minister of Education from 1962 to 1963 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)). In 1967 President [Abdirashid Ali Shermarke](/en/people/abdirashid-ali-shermarke/) made him Prime Minister ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)).

Castagno writes that, like earlier prime ministers, he supported the goal of uniting all Somalis. His own priority was economic and social development and better relations with Ethiopia and Kenya ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). He was abroad when President Shermarke was killed in October 1969 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)).

## Detention and later years

After the army took power on 21 October 1969, he was detained with other leaders of the civilian government at the presidential palace at [Afgooye](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/) ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). He was later released and served as ambassador to India from 1976 to 1978. He was then held again until 1985 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)).

## President of Somaliland, 1993 to 2002

Somaliland declared its independence in 1991. In 1993 he became its second President ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)). In his years in office, armed groups were disarmed and brought back into civilian life. Somaliland brought in its own shilling, passport and flag, and began trade with other countries (same source). Most states and the African Union still regard Somaliland as part of Somalia. See [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/).

Wikipedia notes that some in Somaliland doubted his commitment to its separate status, because he spoke at times of future talks with the rest of Somalia ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)).

## His death

He died on 3 May 2002 during surgery at a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. He was given a state funeral and buried in Berbera beside his father ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Haji_Ibrahim_Egal)). [Dahir Riyale Kahin](/en/people/dahir-riyale-kahin/) was sworn in as President the next day (same source).

## In short

Prime Minister of the Somali Republic in 1960 and from 1967 to 1969, and President of Somaliland from 1993 to 2002.

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