H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi

President | Republic of Somaliland

Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) is a seasoned diplomat, political leader, and one of the most experienced statesmen in the Horn of Africa. He began his career holding senior positions in Somalia prior to its state collapse in 1991, after which he relocated to Hargeisa, Somaliland, initially as an investor before entering politics in 2001 as co-founder of one of the country’s first political parties. Over the past two and a half decades, he has played a central role in Somaliland’s democratisation process.

Elected to parliament in 2005, Dr. Abdirahman simultaneously became Speaker of the first democratically elected House of Representatives, a position he held for 12 years — making him the longest-serving speaker in Somaliland’s history. In 2011, he founded the WADDANI party, serving as its first chairman and presidential candidate. After narrowly losing the 2017 presidential race with 44% of the vote, he won a decisive victory in November 2024, securing 65.5% and a five-year mandate to lead the country.

Dr. Abdirahman’s career bridges business, diplomacy, and politics, equipping him with a unique perspective on governance and development. His vision is to position Somaliland as a recognised and constructive contributor to regional peace and international security, while fostering strong partnerships with global and regional actors. He is committed to attracting strategic investment into Somaliland’s untapped resources, including critical and rare earth minerals.

He holds an MBA, a Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies, and an Honorary PhD.