President
Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) is the 6th and current President of Somaliland, having assumed office on 12 December 2024. Born in 1955, in Hargeisa, he pursued early education across Somaliland and later earned degrees and diplomas in Business Administration, African Studies, and Conflict Resolution from institutions in the U.S., Russia, and Ethiopia.
Dr. Irro began his career in diplomacy, serving at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1981 to 1996, including as acting Ambassador to Moscow. Returning to Somaliland in 1999, he co-founded the UCID party and became a key figure in Somaliland’s democratization. He was elected to Parliament in 2005 and served as Speaker for 12 years, during which he championed peaceful political transitions and inclusive governance.
In 2012, he founded the WADDANI party and led it to significant electoral success in 2021. He was elected President in 2024 with nearly 64% of the vote. Known for his diplomatic style and multilingual fluency (Somali, English, Arabic, Russian, and Finnish), Dr. Irro is widely respected for his commitment to dialogue and peace, especially as Somaliland seeks international recognition amid evolving regional dynamics.