Friday April 25, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro marked his administration’s first 100 days in office on Thursday by highlighting progress in security stabilization, defence restructuring, anti-corruption efforts, and the revival of foreign policy engagement.
Speaking at an official ceremony at the presidential palace in Hargeisa, President Irro said his government had prioritized consolidating civilian and military forces under a unified command to ensure internal stability and make Somaliland more attractive to foreign investors.
“Three months ago in Erigavo and Ceel-Afweyn, people were carrying weapons. Today, we have banned guns in those cities. Thank God, only a few civilian fighters remain, and they will be disarmed shortly,” he said.
Irro emphasized the integration of most civilian fighters into Somaliland’s national army, claiming the move has helped reduce tensions in key eastern regions. “We are not aggressors,” he said. “But anyone who threatens our sovereignty will regret it.”
The President also outlined economic reforms, including steps to digitize public finances and root out corruption, asserting that his government has “zero tolerance” for fraud. “We are building an economic system that protects the public and encourages investment,” Irro noted.
On foreign affairs, Irro claimed his administration had mended strained diplomatic relations and improved Somaliland’s standing with international partners. He reiterated his belief that Somaliland’s long-awaited recognition as an independent state was closer than ever, though no country has formally extended recognition to date.
“Somaliland’s foreign policy has been reinvigorated. We have restored relationships that were damaged in the past,” he said.
However, Irro’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Somaliland and the SSC-Khaatumo administration in the contested Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions. Despite ongoing talks of stabilization, violence erupted last week in the Sanaag region, with both sides trading accusations over ceasefire violations.
The presence of informal armed groups in eastern Somaliland has long disrupted development operations, limiting humanitarian access and weakening investor confidence. Irro acknowledged these challenges but pledged that his administration would restore full government authority over all contested areas.
While his 100-day review signals an ambitious agenda, the President faces mounting pressure to de-escalate the territorial dispute with SSC-Khaatumo and prevent a return to large-scale conflict.