The Kulmiye Party crushing defeat in the 2024 presidential election was a clear verdict from the voters—particularly in the Northeast regions, including Burao–where Chairman Mohamed Kahin’s stronghold was. After 14 years in power marked by corruption, lawlessness, bad governance, and economic stagnation, the voters have spoken. Yet instead of reform, Kulmiye’s leadership is locked in a petty power struggle. In Hargeisa, two rival factions are engaged in brinkmanship over who will take control and attempt to rebuild the party.
Kahin, 72, is a veteran politician and former Interior Minister who has served Somaliland for many years. Under the party’s rules, his position as chairman automatically makes him the presidential nominee—without competition. This process is undemocratic, resembling a Soviet-style system, and gives Kahin and his loyalists near-complete control over party operations.
However, the election data tells a different story. The Kulmiye party received fewer votes than expected from Northeast regions—Kahin’s own political home turf—garnering fewer than 9,700 votes there. By contrast, most of the party’s votes came from the Northwest regions, over 180,000, including the most populous region, Maroodi-Jeex. Despite his prominent role as Interior Minister, the majority of his constituents rejected Kulmiye in 2024, instead voted for Presidential candidate Cirro and the Ictisaam infected Kaah party. In fact, his political base has eroded, the coalition that once backed Kulmiye has collapsed, and the party risks irrelevance unless it changes course.
Critics of Kahin argue that the party must hold a convention to elect new leaders and an executive committee. They insist that delegate selection should reflect the results of the 2024 election rather than rely on the outdated sub-clan identity quotas reminiscent of Somalia’s discredited 4.5 system. Without reform, Kahin’s Northeastern faction risks losing influence—unless his strategy is simply to play the role of spoiler.
If Kulmiye hopes to challenge the Pro-Somalia incumbent party successfully, it must follow the will of the people. Those tied to the 2024 election defeat and the military debacle in the insurrection of East Sool—including former President Bihi, Kahin, Samaale, and other entrenched figures—should step aside. The party urgently needs new leadership with a bold agenda because Somaliland faces coordinated efforts by Pro-Somalia forces seeking to undermine its independence through Cirro’s presidency ; defending the nation requires fresh leadership with a bold, unifying agenda.
For over a decade, Kulmiye presided over growing lawlessness and entrenched corruption. Powerful business interests—such as Dahabshiil Group (aka Dhigshill ) and Telesom, a subsidiary of Hormuud Telecommunications, and others act as “States within The State,” much like Russian oligarchs. The political system has become rigged, dominated by oligarchs who manipulate corrupt politicians and media, radical Ictisaam clerics, and clan identity politics to advance their narrow interests. They are steadily eroding Somaliland’s freedom, economy, and democratic process.The people deserve a party that fights for them, not one that serves merchants of corruption..
The only way to break this stranglehold is for principled legislators—committed to ordinary Somalilanders—to take control of the legislature. An opposition rooted in principle is what Somaliland desperately needs. Prolonging internal disputes, obstructing party functions, or dragging conflicts into court will only damage Kulmiye’s standing and benefit Pro-Somalia Waddani and the Ictisaam Kaah party, both of whom would like to see Kulmiye disappear like the Udub party. But that will not happen, as Kulmiye still has patriots with grassroots support willing to protect it as a viable, pro-Somaliland alternative.
Chairman Kahin must remember that Kulmiye is a national institution—not the proprietary of any sub-clan, faction, or business elite. He must not become a tool for Kaah or their radical Ictisaam allies from East Burao. Instead, he should ensure the party convention is held on time and participate in genuine reform.
I would even further suggest changing the name of the party to Somaliland Party, and its Symbol too.
Kahin issued a letter last week postponing the party convention till June 2027. However, Osman Badmah, a member of the interim executive committee said, “The party convention will take place on schedule; it is illegal for Kahin to unilaterally postpone it. “
Rather than hiding behind few loyalists and party apparatchiks, Kahin should tour the country—especially the Northwest regions, including Sheikh, Berbera, Hargeisa, Arabsiyo, Gabiley, Geed Ballaadh, Tog Wajaale, and Borama—to meet local party officials, prospective candidates, community leaders, and grassroots activists. Listening to their perspectives will help guide the party’s direction. Denying citizens meaningful participation in the political process is not only odious—it is illegal.
Chairman Kahin should put the country before personal ambition.Gubanmedia calls on Kahin and his supporters to heed voters’ demands: hold the Kulmiye party convention in October, 2025, as the party agreed, including Kahin. However, before the convention, there must be an open and transparent forum where both factions can debate and agree on how delegates will be chosen.
We acknowledge Kahin’s past contributions to Somaliland’s independence and governance. He served and fought well for our country. We want to thank him for his service and dedication.
However, the nation now stands at a crossroads. Somaliland needs leaders with vision—leaders who can fight the entrenched corruption, Clan identity politics, radical Ictisaam clerics, and bad governance that have fueled poverty and lawlessness.
It is time for Kahin to step aside for a new generation committed to saving Somaliland from decline—before the al-Shabaab/Ictisaam syndicates tighten their grip. If we fail to act now, we risk losing our hard-fought freedom!
May Allah Bless Somaliland
Ali-Guban Mohamed
Founder and Editor
Gubanmedia.com, Covering the Horn of Region
