-President speech to the nation in his first State of the Nation Address at the National Assemblies Parliament
-State establishes National Reserves Forces to bolster security in the country
-Somaliland-Somalia Talks officially severed due to the infringement of territorial integrity of the country by Somalia
-Government performance in First 100 days has surpassed general expectations of the members of the public
By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address to the bicameral National Assemblies Parliament in a speech that gave the pointers of his administration as one that is seriously bent on working for the development and aspirations of the people and nation of Somaliland.
The speech on Sunday came after the Head of State completed his first 100 days in office that ambitiously put in place his party’s manifesto plans, campaign pledges and integrated them into the national development plans hence dutifully adhered to them.
Indeed the first three months of the administration has surpassed expectations especially operating under duress owing to the prior situation inherited.
He has revealed that the first quarter of this year’s economic growth has just registered 19% higher than the previous couple of years.
He has just announced the creation of the national reserve security services, the National Reserve Forces, as he had earlier pledged and promised over three months earlier in his inauguration speech.
It is worth noting that few, if any, contemporary leaders in both the developing and developed world have ever adhered and managed to successfully adhere to and implement their 100 days focus precisely as pledged.
The President’s speech shed light on all aspects in general as concerns socio-economical, security, political, agricultural, fisheries, livestock, energy, health, educational and infrastructural aspects that are being addressed and the plans in store to bolster them.
In essence, the President who has seemingly given his appointees leeway to embark on their duties diligently as expected, has indeed been leading with hands-on-the-job hence acutely aware of all the undertakings at, and in, every front and directing them at the same time.
The President led the audience pay a special tribute of standing ovation to the VP H.E. Mohamed Abdi aw Ali for the historic peace mission he has been undertaking in the eastern parts of the country for the past two months that has been greatly hailed for his pragmatism, given the precarious nature of the situation, hence is quite successful and on course.
He reiterated the state’s resolve to sever the Somaliland-Somalia Talks given the latter’s blatant violations of Somaliland’s territorial integrity.
The President’s State of the Nation Address is hereunder reproduced in its entirety, loosely translated from the Somali language:-
State of the Nation Address
Mr. Speaker, distinguished speakers of the two houses of the Somaliland Parliament, the Speaker of the Supreme Court, the heads of the national official parties, members of the cabinet, the commanders of the various national forces, the Governor of Maroodi-jeeh Region, the Mayor of Hargeisa, leaders of the various sections of society, the women fraternity, youth, and all citizens of the Republic of Somaliland at home and abroad.
Asalaam Aleykum;
With due respect to the august National Assemblies Parliament of the Republic of Somaliland, and at the same time in fulfilling the constitutional duty that instructs me to inform you of the general situation of the country, and the plan of the journey we are moving forward;
I begin by praying and remembering all the heroes who have fought for the Nation in the successive stages that have passed. Those who sacrificed their lives for independence, the successive leaders who served this nation, and the heroes who are now in uniform to consolidate peace, and protect the strength of the Nationhood we enjoy.
I reaffirm the obligation of the Nationhood of the Republic of Somaliland and that there is no negotiation on the unity, territorial integrity, nationhood of the Republic of Somaliland, the integrity of its history, traditions and culture of its people.
GENERAL SITUATION OF THE COUNTRY
Mr. Speaker;
Our nation is going through a particularly important stage; a stage where we must set the direction in which we will move into the future.
We are emerging from a difficult environment resulting from the pressures of the economic downturn that has dragged on for the past three years, the weakening of national security and unity, the decline in our democracy, and the political stalemate that has led to the postponement of elections.
In the first hundred days of my government’s tenure, it has taken important strategic steps to rebuild citizen trust, consolidate the foundations of peace, and implement the promised changes that the nation has placed its trust in.
Today, public safety and security are strengthening; the economy is stable and growing.
A broad reform of the judiciary and the administrative system of government institutions is underway, and public services and social affairs are expanding.
We have also infused new energy and vitality into our relations with the world and international cooperation.
More importantly, the ownership of the various sectors of the citizenry has been restored and they have been more involved in the leadership and decision-making of the country’s future than ever before.
Despite all this, we still face challenges that cannot be underestimated. A full economic recovery requires that we truly utilize our resources. Much work remains to be done to strengthen peace and unity.
GOVERNMENT ACTION IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS
- Defense and protection of the nation
Peace and security are the foundation of development and the shield of statehood. In the first hundred days, my government of “Togetherness and Action” has been able to implement important measures.
We nationalized the weapons and the civilian forces and began training them, which today have become a part of our national forces.
We conducted a census and a thorough registration of all our forces, in order to ensure the correct number of the various national forces, and to eliminate the name and existence of the word “Aagle” (ghost workers).
This is the key to the beginning of the large-scale salary increase that we are making for the forces. Today, the soldier receives his salary directly from the national treasury.
The soldier and his family will receive free care and services. The government will improve the system of promotion and rewards for the forces.
We have benefited from new training for more than 700 officers, some of whom we have sent abroad for high-level training.
We have added modern technology and knowledge to the Immigration Department, and the Coast Guard, and have tripled their capacity to secure our maritime borders. We have also increased the level of security at all airports in the Republic of Somaliland.
To strengthen the national defense of the Republic of Somaliland, my government today announces the creation of the National Reserve Forces of the Republic of Somaliland.
𝟐. Good governance and Reform of the Judiciary:
Strengthening and improving the administration is the foundation on which good governance is built. Based on this vision, in order to strengthen the working capacity of government offices and the quality of services they provide, in the first hundred days we have reformed the work of government institutions and strengthened transparency and accountability.
The government has created or supplemented, revised and amended the laws that constitute the legal framework for transparency and the rule of law.
Similarly, the policies and strategic plans that will form the basis for administrative reform and good governance have been completed.
During this short period of time, the Government has implemented tax and revenue reforms, eliminating all loopholes that undermined good governance of government revenues in order to combat corruption. Government revenue in the three months from January to March has increased by 19%, compared to the previous two years.
My Government is committed to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that government leaders are accountable for the implementation of the law.
The Government has initiated a judicial reform plan to ensure fairness, independence and public confidence in the law and the judicial system of the country.
- Infrastructural Development
During the short period of time that my Government has been in office, it has taken concrete steps that have been key to unlocking the economic potential of the Republic of Somaliland.
We have begun the construction and rehabilitation of key roads, which are the backbone of livestock and agricultural areas connecting domestic markets, cities and ports in the country.
Seven (7) key roads have been started, renovated or completed their construction studies. These include the key roads connecting Hargeisa/Balligubadle, and Boorama/Baki.
We have also completed the assessment phase of the construction of the Lughaya port, which paves the way for us to make it a major commercial hub in the future.
The government has decided to reduce the electricity price in the city of Berbera to $0.20 (twenty cents) per KW from July 2025, which will be the cheapest price in the cities of the Republic of Somaliland. The electricity network in the city of Zeila has also been strengthened, which will have a direct impact on the lives of families in this coastal city.
The drilling of 32 wells, dams and ponds has been completed, to facilitate access to drinking water and irrigation for livestock and agriculture by citizens in arid areas, especially during droughts.
We have provided technical assistance and equipment, regulation, encouragement, and knowledge-building to the country’s fishermen and farmers.
The plan to implement foreign investment in the processing of our livestock products, including meat, is well underway for export to international markets.
Economic Priorities for the Government
Based on these actions that have been possible in the short term, the Government’s economic strategy focuses on three areas that we believe will increase domestic production – the country’s GDP and the National Budget.
- First focus: Production
Fisheries: We will complete the modernization and development of infrastructure, and technical knowledge in fisheries, and its marketing domestically and internationally.
Livestock: We will further strengthen the efforts initiated to develop livestock. To increase their health care and grazing, and to increase the export of live animals through foreign investments, and to process livestock products domestically.
Agriculture: In order for the Republic of Somaliland to become a country that produces enough food, we will strengthen the development of agriculture, especially irrigation systems, agricultural health care, light processing of food products, and to strengthen the domestic market for agricultural products.
The government, through its joint efforts, has secured foreign investment for two projects to modernize and improve agricultural production, funded by the Pharo Foundation with $20 million and the German government with $22 million.
Minerals: Minerals are one of the major resources that we still have. The government’s plan is to increase foreign investment and domestic investment to explore, produce and export them to world markets.
𝟐. Second Focus: Income
Taxation: Modernizing the tax collection system and broadening the tax base to finance the essential development of government services.
Entrepreneurship Investment: Enhancing entrepreneurship investment by citizens, especially youth and women
Berbera Port: We are committed to leveraging the expansion and modernization of the Berbera Port and improving the quality of services it provides to increase the number of areas outside the border served by the port.
𝟑. Third Focus: Economic Infrastructure and Energy
The government continues to build and expand strategic roads, ports, and airports, so that we can share in the regional markets.
We will also strengthen natural energy, seeking investment in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy to provide affordable electricity to citizens, services, manufacturing, and industries. The World Bank is investing $30 million in the cities of Berbera and Borama to finance solar power generation.
The problem of climate change is one of the most serious challenges crippling the economy. The Republic of Somaliland is among the countries that have suffered the devastating effects of climate change. We have set ourselves a special responsibility to care for the environment, control water and food shortages, and prevent the overall problems of climate change.
My Government’s policy is to protect the environment, combat deforestation, and plant three (3) million trees during its term, which is equivalent to planting 600,000 trees per year. National Tree Planting Day in the Republic of Somaliland is celebrated on April 15th of each year, and we have launched a campaign to plant 300,000 trees in the middle of this month.
- Social Affairs and Public Services:
We believe that it is imperative that citizens receive equal services from the government.
During the first hundred days, my government was able to accelerate public services. We have reactivated seventy-seven (77) health centers and hospitals, or have renovated and accelerated their services. This has increased the number of mothers who are delivered to health centers during childbirth, especially in areas far from health centers.
We have also begun to reform the country’s education system. The steps taken include modernizing and developing the curriculum to include lessons that are useful for building society, including building national awareness among students, good morals and ethics, protecting the environment, and combating discrimination.
We have emphasized that we will develop plans to increase the number of girls enrolled in schools (education) and reduce the number of students who drop out of school. We have also begun developing a prison education curriculum to prevent the habit of committing crimes and to encourage prisoners to contribute to society and work upon release.
The government has been able to provide free education to the first batch of orphans of the various forces of the Republic of Somaliland.
On the other hand, we have begun labor and civil service reform, implementing a pension fund, and enhancing infrastructure that facilitates work, including technology, in which the first 54 employees have been trained.
𝟔. Foreign Affairs and International relations
My government has made great efforts to revive international relations, and the friends of the Republic of Somaliland in the world. We have worked to make the voice of Somaliland heard in international forums.
Our policy is to convince the world of the recognition of Somaliland, which we have a legal right to and we will treat anyone who supports us with long-term rewards and friendship based on mutual interests.
It is an honor for us, during the short period of this government, to have had fruitful meetings with the leaders of our friendly government of the United Arab Emirates.
They have accepted our invitation to invest in our country and to help us find new international markets for the products of the Republic of Somaliland. Similarly, businessmen in their country encourage and support investment in the Republic of Somaliland, especially in the fields of Livestock, agriculture, fisheries and mining.
Technical committees that we have both appointed are currently working on completing this task.
The UAE government will assist us in health infrastructure, education now, Water and roads.
I attended the annual international conference of governments held in Dubai, having received an official invitation from the government of the UAE. The conference was attended by more than 140 countries, including presidents, prime ministers, vice presidents, ministers, famous former leaders, the world’s largest companies and the world’s largest investors.
The conference accelerated the international relations of the Republic of Somaliland and the return of our diplomatic weight in the international arena. It was also an opportunity for us to make a major marketing of our scarce resources that need international investment. Our message from the Republic of Somaliland that we sent from that conference reached more than 50 million people around the world.
We have established important diplomatic relations and engagements with important countries that can support our cause. We have strengthened our efforts to further promote the interests of Somaliland, including the United States, and the United Kingdom, from which we have received security assistance and multilateral cooperation.
Countries that have an influence on the politics of the Horn of Africa and international stakeholders have commended us for our efforts to nationalize, pacify, and reconcile the eastern regions of the Republic of Somaliland.
I am struggling with the setbacks in life and ethnic conflict among my people, and this instructs me to work hand in hand for development, hand in hand for peace and security.
The Government of the Republic of Somaliland is further strengthening the historical relations based on good neighborliness, brotherhood, and cooperation that we have with the countries of Ethiopia and Djibouti, and is planning trips to those countries.
The Government of Somaliland has clarified its position on the arrival of the Prime Minister of Somalia in the eastern Sool region of Somaliland in the statement we issued at the 16th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Somaliland, which I chaired on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, in which the Republic of Somaliland suspended the dialogue with Somalia.
My Government has informed the international community that the arrival of the Prime Minister of Somalia is a violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and a blatant war waged by Somalia against the Republic of Somaliland in order to disrupt and undermine the peace and brotherhood efforts that the Republic of Somaliland has been carrying out with great effort and hard struggle.
Once again, we warn that this violation could lead to an escalation of civil strife.
The Republic of Somaliland informs its neighboring countries and the international community that it will continue its efforts for peace, brotherhood and good neighborliness, but reminds them that it has the full power to defend itself against any aggression.
- National unity and democracy in the country:
Mr. Speaker, distinguished guests,
Based on the political vision of the government, and the initial achievements of the government in the first hundred days, we have worked to complete the unity of the country, and the values of democracy that are central to our policies.
The strength and good reputation of the Republic of Somaliland have come from our democratic system, our culture of consultation and conflict resolution, and the resilience of our people. We have taken important steps to strengthen, sustain stability, and the shared ownership of the state.
We have established a national institution dedicated to peace and welcoming the citizens of the Republic of Somaliland.
They are being organized in order, so we have begun the work of involving all sectors of society in the national government, and having them represent us in order to revive the trust that the citizens had in his government.
We have held meetings with all sectors of society, including the National Assembly, scholars, cultural leaders, businessmen, intellectuals of both men and women, the media, and creative and literary figures, to listen to their views, and the advice they are contributing to their nation.
Mr. Speaker;
The issues we have discussed reflect our commitment to achieving our goal of creating a Somaliland where unity, solidarity, justice, peace, and democracy are the foundations of its governance.
I have not forgotten to commend the brotherly clans of El-Afweyn, their traditional leaders, parliamentarians, intellectuals and politicians who all worked with us to end the long-standing conflict in El-Afweyn, and to hand over the forces of both clans and their weapons to the Republic of Somaliland.
I also thank the elders, elders and the judiciary that ruled and ended the conflict. The El Afweyn militia, who have not been mobilizing for months, have stood firm.
It is a great victory that we have stopped the blood of citizens that has been spilling for more than 9 years. From now on, our duty is to work on the development of these areas.
I thank every community of every area that aided in facilitating the nationalizing of its local civil militia, its armour and soldiers hence integrating it into the mainstream national armed forces.
I ask all of you to applaud the Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland, my brother Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, and his delegation of Ministers, Members of Parliament, Traditional Leaders, Army Commanders and other dignitaries, who have successfully invested their time, effort and nationalism in these efforts.
We also ask the National Institutions, the most important of which is the Parliament, and the political parties to cooperate, work together and consult in the general interest of our Nation and in building a better future for our children.
I wish to convey to the citizens that the tangible achievements we have achieved in a short period of time are just the beginning, and that the time and the weighty work are behind us.
My final call:
I call on the youth of the Republic of Somaliland, both men and women, to prepare themselves to shoulder the responsibility of preparing the future of their country, to participate in the efforts being made by the government to achieve this, and to come up with creativity and talent to lead the process.
I call on the elders, traditional leaders, intellectuals and the community to benefit from their wisdom, experience, knowledge, and history in the efforts to build the nation.
In particular, I call on our women, who are the center of society, to play their role in building the nation they love.
Let us all unite under our flag, join hands in building our Nation and achieving our goal of recognition.
May Allah bless the Republic of Somaliland … May Peace, Nationality and Progress be permanent in our Nation by God’s Will.
Thank you.