Mustafa Abdi Ibrahim
HARGEISA – The Speaker of Somaliland’s House of Elders (Guurti), Salebaan Mahmouud Adan, is expected to formally announce his resignation on Sunday, bringing an end to more than two decades of leadership at the helm of the upper chamber.
According to a spokesperson for the House, the 92-year-old Speaker has made a definitive decision and has already notified President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) of his intention to step down from both the speakership and his membership in the Guurti.
Multiple attempts by close associates and political figures to persuade him to reverse or delay his decision have proven unsuccessful, sources close to the Speaker confirm. A special session of the House is expected to be convened, during which Saleebaan will officially declare his resignation.
Saleebaan, who has presided over the Guurti since 2004, is widely recognized as one of the longest-serving political figures in Somaliland’s history. Those in his inner circle have attributed his departure primarily to his advanced age and a desire to relieve himself of the demanding responsibilities he has carried for over two decades.
Throughout his tenure, Salebaan has been credited with playing a key role in mediating political disputes and fostering inter-party dialogue. Supporters highlight his contributions to maintaining relative stability and defusing recurring political tensions that have periodically threatened the region’s fragile peace.
However, his leadership has not been without controversy. The House of Elders, under his stewardship, has faced persistent criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and political analysts. Detractors have frequently pointed to controversial term extensions granted to successive governments and legislative bodies, as well as accusations that the Guurti has fallen short of its constitutional mandate to act as a guarantor of national reconciliation and social cohesion.
Should the resignation proceed as expected, it will mark the end of an era for one of Somaliland’s most enduring institutional leaderships. The Guurti will then be required to initiate the constitutional process for electing a new Speaker—a transition that is likely to draw significant scrutiny, given the House’s influential role in the country’s political landscape and its traditional authority in conflict resolution.
