Somaliland President Cirro Appoints New Regional Governors and Deputies in Major Administrative Reshuffle

Why the Reshuffle Matters

Araweelo News Network | Associated Online Agencies

Reading Time: Approximately 6 minutes

HARGEISA, Somaliland (ANN)— President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) has appointed a number of new regional governors and deputy governors as part of a significant reshuffle of Somaliland’s regional administration.

The appointments announced on Thursday include new leadership for Awdal, Sanaag, Gabiley, Togdheer and Badhan, together with deputy governors for Togdheer, Sanaag and Xaysimo.
The changes come as the administration faces continuing demands to improve regional governance, strengthen public services and maintain political stability across Somaliland.
Complete List of Governors and Deputy Governors
Region
New Governor
Deputy Governor
Awdal
Xasan Daahir Xaddi (Ciid)

Sanaag
Maxamed Xasan Faahiye (Culus)
Siciid Ibraahin Maxamed Samatar
Gabiley
Maxamuud Cali Saleebaan (Ramaax)
Togdheer
Maxamuud Xasan Saleebaan (Doob)
Axmed Maxamed Cali (Afyare)
Badhan
Yaasiin Maxamed Sharmaarke

Xaysimo

Mukhtaar Maxamuud Jaamac
The names and regional assignments are reported in the 3 September appointment coverage, including the three deputy-governor appointments.
What Is Known About the Appointees
Xasan Daahir Xaddi (Ciid) — Governor of Awdal
Xaddi returns to the Awdal governorship. Public records show that he previously served as Governor of Awdal, having taken the position in June 2023. His return therefore represents a restoration of a senior regional administrative figure with previous experience in the region.
Maxamed Xasan Faahiye (Culus) — Governor of Sanaag
Faahiye has been appointed to lead Sanaag. His appointment replaces the previous governor and places a new figure at the head of one of Somaliland’s strategically important eastern regions.
Maxamuud Cali Saleebaan (Ramaax) — Governor of Gabiley
Ramaax is a veteran Somaliland regional administrator. His career has included governorships in several regions. Historical records show that he previously served as governor of Awdal and Sool, while more recent reporting identifies him as Governor of Togdheer in 2026.
His move to Gabiley is therefore one of the most notable elements of the reshuffle.
Maxamuud Xasan Saleebaan (Doob) — Governor of Togdheer
Doob previously served as Governor of Hawd. Somaliland’s presidential records document his appointment as Hawd governor in January 2025, while a February 2026 presidential decree subsequently moved him to Gabiley and moved Maxamed Cabdullaahi Jaamac (Bookh) to Hawd.
His new appointment to Togdheer represents another major change in the regional administration.
Yaasiin Maxamed Sharmaarke — Governor of Badhan
Sharmaarke has been appointed Governor of Badhan. The appointment places a new administrator in the strategically sensitive Sanaag-area region.
Deputy Governors
Siciid Ibraahin Maxamed Samatar — Deputy Governor of Sanaag
Samatar has been appointed deputy governor of Sanaag alongside newly appointed Governor Maxamed Xasan Faahiye.
Axmed Maxamed Cali (Afyare) — Deputy Governor of Togdheer
Afyare has been appointed deputy governor of Togdheer, working alongside Governor Maxamuud Xasan Saleebaan.
Mukhtaar Maxamuud Jaamac — Deputy Governor of Xaysimo
Jaamac has been appointed deputy governor of Xaysimo.
Why the Reshuffle Matters
The appointments are politically significant because regional governors are the central representatives of the Somaliland administration outside Hargeisa. They oversee coordination between central government institutions, local authorities, security structures and communities.
The reshuffle therefore goes beyond ordinary personnel changes.

1. A Focus on Regional Administration
The movement of experienced governors such as Ramaax and Doob suggests that the administration is relying partly on officials with previous experience in regional government.
Ramaax, in particular, has served in multiple regional posts over the years, including Awdal, Sool and Togdheer.
2. Awdal Receives an Experienced Figure
The return of Xasan Daahir Xaddi to Awdal gives the administration a governor who has previously operated in the region.
Awdal remains politically important because of its geographical position, relations with neighbouring Ethiopia and Djibouti, and its significance within Somaliland’s broader political balance.
3. Sanaag Gets New Leadership
The appointment of Maxamed Xasan Faahiye to Sanaag is particularly important because the region remains strategically sensitive.
The new governor will face the challenge of strengthening administrative coordination while dealing with complicated local political and security dynamics.
4. Togdheer Becomes Part of a Wider Leadership Reset
The appointment of Doob to Togdheer and Afyare as his deputy represents a substantial change in the leadership of one of Somaliland’s largest and politically influential regions.
Togdheer also faces serious socioeconomic pressures, including drought and humanitarian needs. Earlier this year, Ramaax, who was then governor, appealed to international organisations for emergency drought assistance.
5. Gabiley Gets a Veteran Administrator
The appointment of Ramaax to Gabiley places a highly experienced former regional governor in charge of an area that is economically and strategically important because of its proximity to Hargeisa and Ethiopia.
His extensive experience in regional administration could make the appointment particularly significant for the government’s plans for local development and administration.
The Wider Political Signal
President Cirro’s latest appointments appear to reflect a broader effort to reorganise the regional administrative structure and place experienced officials in strategically important positions.
The reshuffle also demonstrates the importance Somaliland’s presidency continues to attach to regional leadership at a time when the administration is dealing with political competition, economic pressures, drought and security concerns.
The movement of officials between regions indicates that the government is not necessarily treating governorships as permanent political positions. Instead, experienced administrators can be transferred according to the presidency’s assessment of regional needs.
For President Cirro, the effectiveness of the new appointments will ultimately be measured not simply by political representation but by whether the new governors can improve security, public administration, development coordination and relations between central government and local communities.
Important Note on the Appointment List
The publicly available reporting on September 3 identifies five newly appointed governors and three deputy governors. Some other officials were also appointed to diplomatic and government positions on the same day, including a special presidential envoy for the African Union and IGAD and representatives in Sweden and the European Union.
The available reports do not yet provide reliable previous-position information for every one of the newly announced officials. Araweelo News Network will update this report if the full presidential decree is released publicly.

Keywords: Somaliland governors 2026, President Cirro appointments, Somaliland regional governors, Somaliland government reshuffle, Xasan Daahir Xaddi, Maxamed Xasan Faahiye, Maxamuud Cali Saleebaan Ramaax, Maxamuud Xasan Saleebaan Doob, Yaasiin Maxamed Sharmaarke, Somaliland deputy governors, Somaliland political appointments, Somaliland regional administration, Hargeisa.

Araweelo News Network | Associated Online Agencies
Published: September 3, 2026