By Jama Ayaanle Feyte
HARGEISA | 12/07/2026 – The House of Elders (Guurti) of the Republic of Somaliland convened an extraordinary session today at its headquarters in Hargeysa to deliberate on and formally ratify the resignation of its long-serving Speaker, Hon. Saleban Mahmoud Aden, and to elect his successor.
The session was opened by Speaker Saleban Mahmoud Aden, who addressed the assembly citing persistent health challenges and fatigue as the primary reasons behind his decision to step down. He noted that he had first been elected to the Speakership on 18 August 2004 and formally submitted his resignation letter, effective today, 12 July 2026, urging the House to accept his departure.
Following the unanimous endorsement of the Speaker’s resignation, the House officially announced the three candidates contending for the leadership position:
· Representative Muse Haji Abdi Ducaale
· Representative Sahal Idle Dirir
· Sultan Ismail Sultan Abdirahman
After each candidate was given the floor to address the House, Representative Sahal Idle Dirir formally withdrew from the race. Sultan Ismail Sultan Abdirahman, in his address, initially suggested postponing the election to allow for further consultations, but subsequently announced his own withdrawal from candidacy as well.
With both contenders stepping aside, Representative Muse Haji Abdi Ducaale remained the sole candidate. The House proceeded to elect him by acclamation, with no objections registered. Representative Muse Haji Abdi Ducaale was thus officially installed as the new Speaker of the House of Elders of the Republic of Somaliland, receiving the full confidence and unanimous support of all members present at the session.
