Turning the Tide: A Historic Opportunity for Gender Equality through Women’s Meaningful Participation in Decision-making in Somaliland

The recent electoral victory of President Abdirahman Mohamed (Waddani Party) was an important moment for Somaliland. His decisive 64% of the vote reflected widespread public support for change, accountability, and adherence to democratic principles. The Women’s Rights Movement played a critical role in this historic transition, engaging in dialogue with opposition leaders, crafting manifestos, and advocating for the inclusion of women in national decision-making. These manifestos outlined clear demands for gender inclusion, justice, and equality, which opposition leaders, including the President, publicly committed to integrating into their political agenda. 

Despite this, we, the undersigned Women’s Rights Organizations, note our concern over the exclusion of women from key decision-making roles in President Abdirahman Mohamed’s government.  

Out of 115 appointments made so far to key government positions—including ministers, deputy ministers, directors-general, and agency leaders, only 4 positions were given to women: two ministers, one deputy minister, and one advisor. This represents a mere 3.5% inclusion rate, a contrast to the President’s campaign promise to allocate 30% of political posts to women.

This exclusion of women from leadership positions, if left unchecked, undermines the progress made by women’s rights movements and threatens to stall Somaliland’s advancement toward gender equality. However, in the midst of this challenge, there is still hope and a chance for the President to make his electoral promises a reality. President Abdirahman Mohamed‘s victory continues to represent a unique opportunity to institutionalize women’s political gains and set a transformative precedent for gender equality provided it is harnessed correctly. 

We, therefore, call on President Abdirahman Mohamed to: 

1. Fulfill his campaign promises and appoint women to at least 30% of all political posts, including ministerial and leadership positions, in forging a more inclusive government. 
2. Ensure that all government agencies and institutions actively promote gender equality through inclusive laws, policies and practices; and 
3. Collaborate with women’s rights organizations and civil society to design and implement initiatives that address systemic barriers to gender equality. 

Signed: 

1. Disability Protection Organization – DPA 
2. Human Rights Center Somaliland – HRC 
3. HAWO-Group 
4. NAGAAD Network 
5. Human Rights Center Somaliland – HRC 
6. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa — SIHA Network 
7. Somaliland Protection and Development Organization – SEPDO 
8. Somaliland Women Lawyers Association – SWLA 
9. Somaliland Women Research Action Group –SOWRAG 
10. Voice of Somaliland Women Minority Organization – VOSOMWO 
11. Women Human Rights Education and Environmental Association. -WHEEA 
12. Women Rehabilitation and Development Organization – WORDA