Debating Ideas reflects the values and editorial ethos of the African Arguments book series, publishing engaged, often radical, scholarship, original and activist writing from within the African continent and beyond. It offers debates and engagements, contexts and controversies, and reviews and responses flowing from the African Arguments books. It is edited and managed by the International African Institute, hosted at SOAS University of London, the owners of the book series of the same name. 

The authors served as international election observers during Somaliland’s 2024 presidential election. This piece reflects their firsthand experiences and insights gathered from observing the electoral process in various locations across the country. Their perspectives are informed by direct engagement with polling stations, political actors, and the broader democratic environment in Somaliland.

Somaliland held its fourth presidential election under a one-person, one-vote system on 13 November 2024. This reaffirmed its status as the Horn of Africa’s most genuine democracy. As citizens of a de facto independent but internationally unrecognized state, Somalilanders turned out to vote in shaping their country’s future, which has been politically divorced from Somalia since 1991. Polling stations we visited in cities like Berbera, Borama, Gabiley, and Hargeisa were orderly and well-staffed, with diligent National Electoral Commission (NEC) workers – many of them women – ensuring a smooth process.

While the day was largely peaceful and celebratory, minor issues such as underage voters and occasional long lines highlighted areas for improvement. The election was a turning point, with opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Cirro) and his Waddani party claiming victory over incumbent President Muse Bihi and his Kulmiye party. Somaliland’s unique three-party system offered voters clear choices about the nation’s direction and underscored the maturity of its democratic processes. It showcased the robust role an independent and legitimate NEC like Somaliland’s can play. It also revealed the complexities and misconceptions surrounding the role of international election observers.

Political role of election observers

International election observers are invited to observe elections precisely to exercise political agency in ensuring democratic integrity while remaining impartial in terms of who wins. This aligns with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers commemorated at the UN in 2005, and now endorsed by 54 intergovernmental and international organizations. For example, it conforms to the principle that genuine democratic elections are an expression of sovereignty belonging to the people, with free elections serving to resolve political competition peacefully and maintain stability (Declaration, no. 1).

In Somaliland’s election, four teams of international observers from Africa, Europe, and North America were invited. By their very presence, observers serve as visible witnesses to the democratic process, and can help to deter ballot-stuffing, fraud, or other anti-democratic practices. Observers are impartial, but their impact is not neutral; their role is inherently political, as it can influence perceptions of legitimacy and help set expectations for the accountability of political actors. This responsibility underscores the impartial yet influential role of observers in assessing electoral processes, offering recommendations for improvement, and promoting public confidence and participation (Declaration, no. 4).

In Somaliland, observers also had the unique opportunity to meet with the country’s most influential political figures, including leaders of the three political parties and President Muse Bihi. These private, question-and-answer sessions further underscored our role as more than passive observers: we were active participants in shaping how the election would be perceived, both domestically and internationally. Such activities are supported by the principle that observers should engage with political competitors to evaluate electoral integrity and make recommendations to safeguard the process (Declaration, no. 15)​.

Somaliland’s politicians understood this dynamic well. All parties recognized that a successful, credible election was essential for advancing their broader goal of achieving international recognition as an independent state. This heightened the stakes of Somaliland’s election, and our mission, reinforcing the critical role observers play – not only in documenting elections but in potentially influencing political behaviour.

A balancing act: impartiality and influence

While observers aim to remain impartial, neutrality does not erase the political dimensions of their role. Governments, like Somaliland’s, often invite observers to bolster their international credibility and affirm their commitment to democracy. Observers, in turn, act as guarantors of legitimacy, but this responsibility carries the risk of misinterpretation that may lead to inaction and malaise. The Code of Conduct states international election observers “must not express or exhibit any bias or preference in relation to national authorities, political parties, candidates, referenda issues or in relation to any contentious issues in the election process. Observers also must not conduct any activity that could be reasonably perceived as favoring or providing partisan gain for any political competitor in the host country, such as wearing or displaying any partisan symbols, colors, banners or accepting anything of value from political competitors” (Code of Conduct, no. 4).

Kenyan observer team at Hargeisa Cultural Centre, 12 November 2024. Photo by Elections Observation team

As election day approached, some of us grew concerned that political tensions could escalate if the results were disputed. Two observer teams proposed a joint statement urging the three main parties to publicly reaffirm their commitment to the NEC’s Code of Conduct, call on their supporters to remain calm, and respect the official results. This proactive step aimed to pre-empt unrest and reinforce public trust in the democratic process. This action would have been congruent with the Declaration’s mandate for impartial recommendations to improve processes and support non-violence and stability. Specifically, “International election observation missions are expected to issue timely, accurate and impartial statements to the public … presenting their findings, conclusions and any appropriate recommendations they determine could help improve election related processes” (Declaration, para. 7).

However, not all observer teams agreed. Some argued that the political environment appeared stable and that such a statement might imply instability or raise doubts about the parties’ intentions. Others worried it could blur the line between observation and intervention, putting observers at the centre of the process. But this contradicted our mandate whereby observers are empowered to engage with all stakeholders, evaluate challenges, and promote the peaceful resolution of disputes, consistent with international principles (Declaration, para. 5)​.

The reluctance of two of the four teams revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of our role. International election observers are not apolitical bystanders. As impartial actors, we are tasked with ensuring that the election reflects the will of the people and that all parties adhere to democratic norms. Encouraging parties to uphold commitments to non-violence and peaceful transitions is central to our mission and underscores the inherently political nature of our work. Receiving those assurances in private is one thing, publicly proclaiming the parties’ adherence to Somaliland’s Code of Conduct, in this case, and commitment to non-violence and peaceful transition of power is quite another.

Dual roles of international election observers

Our mission in Somaliland highlighted the dual nature of international election observers. While impartial in terms of political outcomes, we are political actors in shaping perceptions and promoting democratic integrity. Our presence can influence the behaviour of political parties, voters, and institutions, particularly in countries with young or fragile democracies like Somaliland. This balance is explicitly acknowledged in the Declaration, which positions international observers as impartial evaluators working to protect and promote democratic principles (Declaration, para. 6)​.

This balance between observing and intervening is delicate but necessary and is supported by mandating cooperation with electoral authorities and encouraging public reporting to bolster trust and transparency (Declaration, para. 7)​. Observers must be willing to navigate these tensions to strengthen the foundations of democracy. Somaliland’s election demonstrated that this path requires accountability, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to peace.

Impartiality does not mean avoiding influence; it means using influence shaped by a constructive and appropriate set of political ideas to protect and promote democratic principles. The African Union (AU) has a mandate that aligns closely with this ethos, that emphasizes the promotion of democratic governance and conflict resolution as part of its pan-African stride toward stability and prosperity. Its principles of solidarity, unity, and collective responsibility – echoed in the philosophy of Ubuntu, which values shared humanity and mutual respect – can serve as a constructive framework for the work of election observers. These ideals encourage proactive engagement where necessary, ensuring that influence is wielded to promote peace and democratic integrity.

As authors, we believe such visions and their underlying principles would contribute meaningfully to the debate over the role of international election observers and build on the foundation of the Declaration of Principles. This could possibly shape future election observations and shape their role to better promote positive and inclusive electoral outcomes.

Kenyan observer team, Gabiley, 13 November 2024. Photo by Elections Observation team

The balance between observing and intervening is delicate but essential. International election observers must navigate these tensions to strengthen democratic practices and institutions. Somaliland’s election demonstrated that this approach demands accountability, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to peace. By walking this tightrope, international election observers play a pivotal role in supporting democracy, helping to ensure elections are free and fair, and ultimately helping nations like Somaliland build a more stable and legitimate political future.

By M.A. Egge

The National Police Chief, Major General Mohamed Adan Saqadi (Daba-gale), inspected some of the police stations in the capital Hargeisa, to check the general condition of the police work and the suspects held in the cells of the police stations.

During his inspection tours, the commander listened to a report from the prisoners, and also directed the officers and detectives at the stations to provide efficient service and general welfare of the incarcerated.

He ordered that they should be shown justice and handled humanely with care.

He had a rapport with those in the police cells who were candid enough to speak with him freely on their plight and associated cases.

He directed that their general welfare should be taken into account and treated fairly.

This inspection tour by the police chief comes at a time when a new administration is taking over in the country following the triumph of the WADDANI party and its flag-bearer Dr. Abdirahman Irro coming in as the next President of the Republic of Somaliland, succeeding his predecessor the incumbent President Musa Bihi.

It is indeed a time where vigilance takes precedence and security is bolstered.

The President-elect of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi (Irro) met on Tuesday with a large delegation led by the US Ambassador Richard H. Riley, accompanied by top AFRICOM commander Major General Brian Cashman and other military officials, namely Colonel Carl Benander, Andrew Kelly, political advisor, Colonel Brian Luti, Matthew Cassidy and Chadwick Forbes.

The President-elect said that he had an in-depth discussion with the delegation on how to further strengthen the relationship between the Republic of Somaliland and the US.

President-elect Dr. Abdirahman Cirro noted that the delegation delivered a congratulatory message from the US government.

He noted that the elections in the Republic of Somaliland held on November 13 were elections that have drawn the attention of the world even more, and would definitely attract international investment opportunities.

By M.A. Egge

A several hours long procedural meeting was held on Tuesday morning between the Mayor of Hargeisa, Cllr. Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge, and the National Asset Protection and Monitoring Committee of the Somaliland House of Representatives

The Mayor of Hargeisa along with some members of the Hargeisa Local Council and the Directors of the Departments of Administration and Finance, Public Works, Real Estate and the Head of the Industrial Office, welcomed them at the Town Hall and held a meeting with the National Asset Protection and Monitoring Committee of the House of Representatives, which has been conducting work within the Hargeisa local government for the past month.

Issues regarding the various works underway in the capital city of Hargeisa, especially the works to improve the living infrastructure of the people such as roads, health and education, were dealt with hence outstanding queries were given satisfactory answers.

On the other hand, they appreciated the inside the central government headquarters of Hargeisa, which was recently implemented in a modern multi-storey building that houses the Town Hall.

The National Assets Protection and Monitoring Committee of the Somaliland House of Representatives, which is in charge of the 2022 budget, was monitoring the projects implemented from the national budget.

They are also monitoring all government institutions, observing the protection of national assets during the transition in the government is undergoing the ushering in of the new WADDANI administration.

By M.A. Egge

The Commander of the Somaliland Coast Guard has concluded training for the mobile unit of the Coast Guard, which has been undergoing training in recent times.

The closing of this training was attended by the Commander of the Somaliland Coast Guard and officials from the EUCAP organization, one of the organizations that provide training to the Coast Guard.

The Commander of the Somaliland Coast Guard,Brig General Ahmed Hurre Haariye said that the unit that was being trained is a mobile one that always reaches the local bases along the coast in a constant manner.

He thanked the trainers and the EUCAP organization for both availing the course and facilitating it.

Officials from the EU agency that works with Somaliland on coastal security noted that the training projects, which were on for the past four years, would indeed continue and that their organization would facilitate imperative equipment appliances needs if necessary.

The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Musa Bihi Abdi, on Tuesday received at the Presidential Palace the US Ambassador, Amb. Richard H. Riley, accompanied by the Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Major General Brian Cashman, amongst other officials and military officers from the US government.

The President thanked the members of the US government delegation for the cooperation and bilateral relationship in the Horn of Africa and the military aspects of the two countries of Somaliland and the United States. The President also noted that the US delegation’s visit will strengthen future relations between the two sides.

On their part, the US Ambassador Richard H. Riley and Major General Brian Cashman, stated that their country is ready to cooperate in the areas of security in the Horn of Africa.

They commended the President of the Republic of Somaliland for his role in the development of the country, democratic issues, the holding of these elections, and the strengthening of relations between the two countries and the political maturity and progress that has led such monumental states for a country which is still not officially recognized at the global stage.

They particularly commended the President for accepting the results announced by the National Electoral Commission.

The President was accompanied at the meeting by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Isse Keyd Mohamud, Interior Minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, the Commanders of the Military and Intelligence Forces, Lieutenant General Nuuh Ismail Taani and Mustafa Mohamed Hassan (Bacaluul) and the Legal Advisor to the President, Amaal Abdilaahi Cawil.

The delegation was accompanied by the ambassador and the commander of senior officials and officers from the US government and US military forces in Africa, namely; Colonel Carl Benander, Andrew Kelly, political advisor, Colonel Brian Luti, Matthew Cassidy and Sergeant Major Chadwick Forbes.

It is worth noting that the meeting is in line with the US-Somaliland National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA ) law that has US interests in Berbera as a port crucial to putting in check the Houthis, Iranians, Chinese and Russian influences in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, as hitherto noted by the US defense department.

Academician Jama Ibrahim Awad, who was the former chairman of Somaliland National Disability Federation (SNDF) and at the moment is disability rights activist and a member of Waddani Political Party, has called on the new President of Somaliland, Dr.Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Abdirahman-Irro) to implement the articles that caused people with disabilities to vote for the WADANI Party, which were part of the campaign program of the WADANI Party that we also conducted on our side as a disabled persons, and you, as a candidate, promised in many public places.

An open letter issued by Jama Ibrahim Awad today, a copy of which was delivered to the office of #Hayaannews, sent a message to the sixth president of Somaliland, Abdirahman-Irro, calling on him to implement it These articles are of interest to the disabled for today and for tomorrow. which are as follows;

Article 1:

A). The President is advised to appoint Either the Minister or Director General of the Ministry of Employment, Social and Women (MESAF) of Somaliland to be educated and experienced gentleman with disability who can implement the “draft law for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities,” said Jama Awad.
He pointed out that the law stipulates that we have to establish a special body called the National Disability Commission. This organization will be responsible for all issues related to disabled people.

He also said that the committee will consist of representatives of all the different types of people with disabilities as defined by the draft law for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.

Article 2

B). That the President appoints someone with great knowledge and experience to be the President’s Adviser on Disability Affairs. This position is currently vacant, after the recent death of the person with disabilities who held that position.

Finally, he congratulated the president for winning to be the president of Somaliland for the upcoming five years and I hope that Allah will make your job easier.

WADDANI, KAAH and KULMIYE become the only mandated official political parties to operate in the country for a decade to come

The court was thus obligated to validate and approve the NEC declaration of the election results hence pave the way for the inauguration

The Supreme Constitutional Court of the Republic of Somaliland has approved the official results of the 2024 Somaliland presidential and vice-presidential elections and the political parties’ election held on the 13^th November 2024 on Wednesday that was officially preliminarily declared and announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

The presidential elections saw a repeat scenario of the 2017 race which this time had the Waddani flagbearer Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro defeat the incumbent president of Kulmiye party and Feisal Ali of Ucid.

It also on Saturday moved in a similar resort to ratify the political parties and organizations elections which was also held on the same day.

The constitution demands that political organizations compete each decade to have the mandated three official political parties have operational mandate for the ten-year period.

Seven political organizations joined the fray to challenge the WADDANI, KULMIYE and UCID political parties for the mandate.

The preliminary results now ratified by the Supreme Court has the UCID party loose its stature as a political and has been replaced by the new entrant KAAH which has triumphed as the first runner up.

WADDANI and KULMIYE have both successfully defended their mandates with WADDANI getting the top spot and Kulmiye becoming the second runner-up.

WADDANI garnered 34.29%, KAAH 20.85% and Kulmiye got 17.14%.

Others are Horseed 12.40%, Hilaac 9.44%, Barwaaqo2.67%, Ucid 1.60%, Talowadaag 0.96%, Rejo 0.33% and Shacabka with 0.32%.

In other words, KAAH graduates from being a political organization to an official political party.

As per constitution, upon declaring the results the (NEC) has a window of period to forward the provisional results to the apex court, who in turn have a stipulated time frame to wait for any complaints arising thereof, if any, to dispense with.

Given the fact that no elections complaints were lodged during the legal time frame to facilitate any appeals, the court was thus obligated to validate and approve the NEC declaration of the election results hence pave way for the inauguration of the triumphant Presidential election winner, President-elect Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro.

The Chief Justice who is also the President of the Constitutional Court, Hon. Adan Haji Ali, declared the official results of the presidential and vice-presidential elections in an approval that had the entire Supreme Court bench of all judges sitting in session for the approval.

They noted that the approval of the official results of the said elections of national organizations and parties, within the legal period allowed by law, was to end on Saturday, the 30th of the month; but since the period of lodging complaints had lapsed, they had no otherwise but inclined to approve the results as obligated.

A circular from the court read; “The Supreme Constitutional Court has approved the provisional results of the presidential and vice-presidential elections by the Electoral Commission as follows:

Waddani Party received 407,409 votes, equivalent to 63.92%.

Kulmiye Party received 225,519 votes, equivalent to 35.34%.

Ucid Party received 4699 votes, equivalent to 0.74%.

“The Supreme Constitutional Court also approved the presidential election results as having been won by Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi Cigaal, while the vice-presidential election was won by Mr. Mohamed Ali Abdi Mohamud, both candidates from the Waddani Party.

“The announcement of the official election results was witnessed by the following Judicial Commissions:

1. Adam Haji Ali Ahmed: – Chairman
2. Mohamed Omar Gelle: – Member
3. Abdikadir Ahmed Mahmoud: – Member
4. Ahmed Diiriye Qalib: – Member
5. Mohamed Farah Saeed: – Member
6. Abdirahman Hussein Aynaan: – Member
7. Ali-shu’ayb Sh. Ibrahim Nur: – Member
8. Yahya Ali Idris: – Member
9. Abdilaahi Abdi Adam: – Member
10. Abdirahman Hassan Nuur: – Member

Clerk:  Sahra Ismail Abdilahi”.

Despite the legal procedures as per the constitutional obligations, the incumbent President H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi had already congratulated his successor for his triumphant win and called on the populaces to abide by the results and support the new administration.

Similarly, hundreds of congratulations have been heaped upon the incoming Presidents by foreign heads of state, ambassadors, diplomats, eminent personalities from within the country and abroad and the citizenry alike.