𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡.

𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐈𝐒- President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro on Tuesday delivered his annual constitutional address before a joint session of both houses of parliament, outlining the state of the nation, key achievements and the government’s policy direction.

Opening with Islamic greetings and acknowledgments to state leaders, lawmakers and citizens at home and abroad, the president said it was a constitutional duty to report on national progress and future plans.

President Abdirahman described Somaliland as “a beacon of stability, security, democracy and good neighborliness in the Horn of Africa,” noting that despite challenges, the country has maintained peace, strengthened state institutions and steadily expanded its international partnerships.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

The president said his administration, which took office on Dec. 12, 2024, inherited significant challenges, including economic pressures, instability in eastern regions, climate-related livestock losses and recurring inter-communal conflicts.Despite these issues, he said the government has worked closely with national institutions and the public to overcome many of the obstacles.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞:

The president highlighted security as the foundation of national progress, praising the armed forces for their sacrifices. In 2025, the government:

* Integrated 6,000 newly trained soldiers into national forces

* Introduced mobile salary payments for troops

* Established a military pension system for the first time in 35 years

* Created a Cyber Security Unit

* Developed a National Security Strategy President Abdirahman Irro also said military training, equipment and logistics have been modernized, while illegal trade in military uniforms and equipment has been banned.

𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲:

The president emphasized that peace is essential for development, urging communities affected by conflict to uphold reconciliation efforts.

President Abdirahman said the government has made progress in eastern regions, noting peace consolidation in Sanag and ongoing dialogue in Sool, including outreach to Las Anod.

He reaffirmed readiness for negotiations, prisoner exchanges and reopening trade routes, though responses remain pending.

𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰:

The administration has prioritized good governance, judicial reforms and decentralization of services.

Anti-corruption measures targeting financial misconduct and abuse of power are central to the government’s agenda.

Community-based justice centers have been expanded to resolve disputes before reaching courts.

𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬:

Crime statistics for 2025 showed continued concerns over drug abuse, theft, sexual violence and homicide, particularly among youth aged 15–25.

However, road accidents dropped by 18% and homicides declined by 7% compared to 2024.

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲:

The president warned that election delays threaten democracy and Somaliland’s international reputation.

He said decisions on election timing will be guided by the National Electoral Commission and pledged to strengthen democratic institutions.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬:

The President Irro underscored the need to review and update the constitution to address governance gaps and evolving national needs.

Plans include:

* A national census

* A technical committee to study constitutional amendments .

𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

Despite regional tensions affecting global trade routes, Somaliland’s economy grew in 2025:

* Berbera port trade increased by 27%

* Livestock exports reached 3.6 million animals

* National budget rose by 20% while spending dropped by 9%The government also introduced a Treasury Single Account system to improve financial management.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬:𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤:

* 3 million animals received veterinary care

* 63 veterinary centers reopened

𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞:

* 1,204 farmers trained

* Irrigation systems and greenhouses expanded

𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:

* 200 fishermen trained

* 600 equipped with modern gear

𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲:

Road construction projects, including Hargeisa–Bali Gubadle and Borama–Baki, are 60% complete and expected to finish in 2026.

Water access has improved with 72 wells rehabilitated and new reservoirs built. Electricity costs have decreased, with solar energy capacity rising by 24%.

𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

The government is expanding fiber-optic internet nationwide and finalizing a National Data Center to support e-government services.

A national innovation competition has also been launched to promote youth-led technology solutions.

𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

The president said Somaliland has actively promoted investment opportunities at global forums, including:

* World Governments Summit in Dubai

* World Economic Forum in Davos

* African investment conferences These efforts aim to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy.

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

Recurring droughts and environmental degradation remain major concerns.

The government planted over 600,000 trees in 2025 and plans to continue reforestation and climate resilience programs.

𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

* 36 schools built

* 120 classrooms added

* Over 2,000 educators trained

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡:

* 142 health facilities equipped

* 2,546 health workers trained

* New hospitals planned with Taiwan and UAE support

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞:

* Seven modern sports facilities completed

* Housing built for vulnerable families

* Cash support provided to small businesses

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

The president said Somaliland’s top foreign policy goal is international recognition and strategic partnerships.

The President stated that recognition would unlock investment, trade, financial access and global cooperation opportunities.

The President stated also claimed that Israel had become the first country to recognize Somaliland, expressing confidence that others will follow.

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:

The president emphasized peaceful relations with neighboring countries, particularly Ethiopia, and called on Somalia to accept Somaliland’s independence and pursue a cooperative relationship as two separate states.

𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔:

Looking ahead, the president said priorities include:

* Strengthening economic foundations

* Expanding agriculture, livestock and fisheries

* Increasing exports

* Investing in infrastructure and social services.

The President of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi concluded by calling for unity among state institutions and citizens to achieve national goals.

“May Allah bless the Republic of Somaliland. Somaliland shall live and endure,”