In less than a year as President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro) has charted a new course for leadership in the Horn of Africa. Where many Somali leaders have been criticized for empty promises and political theatrics, Cirro has begun to turn campaign pledges into visible action. His early months in office have been marked by development projects, reductions in essential service costs, and a style of governance that places delivery above rhetoric. For many Somalilanders, it is a refreshing break from the norm.
From Campaign Promises to Action
On September 6, less than a year in office, President Cirro embarked on a working tour of Somaliland’s western regions, launching his priority development agenda. His journey began in Gabiley, where he inaugurated a water purification system, laid the foundation for a modern football stadium, introduced a new oxygen plant for the hospital, and announced a $20 million investment in the Wajaale dry port.
Cirro also addressed one of Somaliland’s most pressing issues: the high cost of electricity, long dominated by private providers. In Gabiley, he reduced the rate from 0.73 to 0.59 per unit—a modest but widely welcomed relief for residents.
The momentum continued in Borama, Awdal’s regional capital. On September 7, Cirro attended Amoud University’s graduation ceremony before unveiling more projects, including the expansion of Borama Airport, the construction of Xaaji Daahir Stadium, a new oxygen plant, and road connections to Lughaya Port. Once again, he announced reductions in electricity and water tariffs, showing his commitment to easing the cost of living.
Five days later, in Salaxley, Cirro inaugurated a new branch of the Somaliland Central Bank, expanded the local hospital, launched a modern firefighting unit, and initiated the long-delayed Qoolcaday pasture development project – designed to benefit pastoralist communities.
Since taking office, Cirro has toured all of Somaliland’s regions, tying his development agenda to his campaign manifesto. His most impactful move has been regulating electricity and water costs, addressing services that directly touch people’s daily lives.
A life shaped by service and resilience
Cirro’s ability to deliver results is rooted in a life defined by education, service, and resilience. Born on April 29, 1955, in Hargeisa to a large family of ten, his father – a soldier in the colonial police, instilled discipline and duty. The early loss of his mother, Amina Jama Ashuur, left a lasting mark, shaping his determination to succeed.
His education spanned Somaliland’s top schools, from Ahmed Gurey to Sheikh High School. After graduation in 1977, he began his career as a teacher before moving to Mogadishu, where he worked for the Settlement Development Agency (SDA), an NGO created to respond to devastating droughts. That experience exposed him to social development and the harsh realities of humanitarian crises.
Even as he worked, he pursued higher education – studying at SIDAM, earning an accounting degree at California State University, and later completing an MBA at New York State University, Albany. His academic training in economics and management became the bedrock of his career.
Diplomat, Intellectual, and Builder
Cirro’s experience in diplomacy which began in 1981, also pertains a higher diploma in African Studies from the Moscow Institute of African Studies. His years abroad, particularly in Russia and Finland, honed his skills in negotiation, cross-cultural leadership, and institution-building. He was instrumental in organizing Somaliland diaspora communities, including the Somaliland community in Helsinki, and worked to channel resources back home. When he returned to Hargeisa in 1999, he invested in education, helping establish schools like the Candlelight School in Burco and the Hargeisa Institute, while also building businesses that created jobs. His dual commitment to development and entrepreneurship set him apart from many peers.
Parliamentary and Party Leadership
Cirro formally entered politics in 2005, winning a parliamentary seat in Saaxil under the UCID Party. Soon after, he became Speaker of the House, serving for 12 years and shaping Somaliland’s legislative framework. His tenure was marked by relative stability and his reputation for fairness across party lines.
In 2011, he founded the Waddani Party, which grew into Somaliland’s largest opposition force. He contested the 2017 presidential election but narrowly lost to Muse Bihi. Undeterred, he remained the central figure in opposition politics, rallying support around governance reform, accountability, and social equity.
His perseverance paid off in 2024 when he was elected President in a hotly contested vote, marking a historic transition of power.
Leading with Integrity and Delivery
Cirro’s presidency blends his past with his present. His diplomatic background has given him a steady hand in navigating Somaliland’s quest for international recognition, while his domestic agenda reflects decades of engagement with education, social services, and community development.
Unlike many Somali leaders who emphasize rhetoric, Cirro has made “delivery” his political currency. His reductions in electricity and water costs, inauguration of health, education, and sports facilities, and engagement with communities reflect his insistence that governance must be felt at the household level.
“Promises mean little unless they are kept,” he often says, echoing a philosophy shaped by his career and personal journey.
A New Chapter for Somaliland
Cirro’s leadership comes at a critical time for Somaliland, which continues to seek global recognition while balancing domestic pressures for development. His actions – measured, people-centered, and practical, have earned him growing credibility at home and cautious respect abroad.
As Somaliland looks ahead, Cirro embodies a rare combination: the diplomat who can navigate the international stage, the statesman who can build institutions, and the leader who can make electricity cheaper for ordinary families. His rise reflects both his past excellence and his current resolve to reshape Somali leadership.
For Somalilanders weary of empty promises, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro has offered something different: a leader whose impact is already being felt.