The article “The Deep State within the Current Somaliland Administration,” written by Mohamed Khader, is an opinion piece analyzing the first year of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro)’s administration in Somaliland. It argues that despite initial optimism, Irro’s administration is facing challenges due to:
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The rise of a “deep state”: The author suggests that networks with ideological soft power are eroding Somaliland’s sovereignty.
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Poor cabinet appointments: The author criticizes the cabinet for lacking experience and failing to represent Irro’s core supporters, leading to internal division and a “legitimacy gap.”
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Lack of cohesion and direction: Ministries are operating in silos, and the presidency struggles to provide leadership.
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Prolonged campaign atmosphere: Continuing with elections has sustained political tension.
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Perceptions of exclusion: Concerns about marginalization are surfacing among certain regions and civil service constituencies.
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Absence of a strong ideological voice: The government isn’t effectively promoting Somaliland’s sovereignty and statehood, leaving the youth vulnerable to divisive rhetoric.
The author concludes that Somaliland’s political culture is under strain and that Irro needs to take decisive action, including providing clear direction, promoting inclusiveness, and restoring trust in the government. The piece emphasizes the importance of perception and the need for Irro to fulfill his mandate of guiding Somaliland with fairness, balance, and vision.
The complete piece is as follows:
The Deep State within the Current Somaliland Administration
By Mohamed Khader
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) assumed office with a constitutional mandate and cautious optimism from the public. For many, it was a moment that signaled the possibility of steadier leadership and a more inclusive national tone. He stepped into a landscape shaped by long-standing political complexities, emerging pressures, and the quiet expectations of a society looking for calm, clarity, and cohesion.
Complicating this environment was the steady rise of ideological soft power, originating from both regional actors and internal clergy-politician alliances. Over time, these networks – not rooted in democratic legitimacy – have cultivated influence through symbolic authority, narrative control, and long-term positioning. Their impact has gone largely unchecked, quietly eroding the ideological coherence that once defined Somaliland’s sovereign claim.
One of the earliest signals that the road ahead would be difficult came with the formation of Irro’s cabinet. While national expectations for sweeping change may not have been universally high, key constituencies—particularly those that delivered electoral victory—expected principled leadership and meaningful inclusion. Instead, the cabinet suggested a compromise. Several appointees lacked experience, and many who had stood closest to the president’s platform were left out. This created an executive structure vulnerable to internal maneuvering and a lack of cohesion.
For much of the public, the appointments felt like continuity. However, for Irro’s political base, the failure to distinguish this administration from previous ones triggered a sharp legitimacy gap. That gap widened as ministries began operating in silos, agendas clashed, and state coordination weakened. The presidency, once seen as a potential driver of direction, began to resemble a balancing act between internal power centers rather than a cohesive seat of leadership.
The early decision to proceed with parliamentary and municipal elections, while a sound procedure, further prolonged the campaign atmosphere. Rather than closing the chapter on electoral rivalry, it sustained the political tension and postponed the focus on governance.
Meanwhile, perceptions of exclusion began to surface. Certain regions and civil service constituencies have expressed concerns about marginalization in appointments and decision-making. Whether these claims are substantiated or not, they have traction—especially in a political culture where symbolic balance and inclusive optics play an essential role in stability.
The absence of a coherent ideological voice within government has also become increasingly evident. Past administrations, despite their limitations, upheld a consistent message of sovereignty, statehood, and legal continuity. Today, those narratives are faint. In their absence, revisionist discourse and external ideological influence are gaining space—unchecked by a strong internal counter-narrative.
This ideological vacuum is especially dangerous among Somaliland youth. With civic education limited and engagement channels narrow, young people are increasingly vulnerable to polarizing rhetoric—both tribal and foreign. In a context where the youth represent the majority, this poses a serious long-term risk to national unity and social cohesion.
Somaliland political culture—grounded in consensus, regional inclusion, and symbolic legitimacy—is under quiet strain. Its erosion, even if gradual, opens the door to deeper fragmentation. In a state still unrecognized but widely respected for its internal stability, perception matters just as much as structure.
There is still time for President Irro to recalibrate. Doing so will require more than reshuffling personnel. It demands clear direction, a renewed commitment to inclusiveness, and the elevation of credible voices who can restore trust in government. Rebuilding cohesion starts with listening—not just to allies, but to those feeling pushed to the margins.
Irro was not elected to maintain inertia. He was elected to guide Somaliland through complexity—with fairness, balance, and vision.
Whether this administration succeeds in that mission will shape not just its legacy, but the future of the nation itself.
Mohamed Khader, Hargeisa, Somaliland
