Abdirahman Soltelco: How a Single Vote Determined the Future of Hargeisa
- A Gallaydh Editorial
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
HARGEISA (May 12, 2026) The extraordinary session of the Hargeisa Local Council, which saw the election of the new Mayor Eng. Abdirisaq Mohamed Farah (Wiiwaa) and his deputy Eng. Adan Jama Haddi (Mideeye), was more than just a handover of power. It served as a stage that thoroughly exposed the city's political actors and their capacity for compromise. Among the ten councilors present at the session, the eyes of political analysts and the capital's residents were firmly fixed on one individual: the former Mayor of Hargeisa and current local council member, Abdirahman Mahmud Aydiid, widely known as Soltelco.
According to inside sources familiar with the event, Soltelco was not among the councilors who organized the motion to oust Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge. However, his absence would have triggered a legal stalemate that would have entirely halted the electoral process. His decision to attend the venue and openly cast his vote for the pro-change faction became the key that unlocked the political deadlock that had gripped Hargeisa in recent months. But what motivated Soltelco to make this fateful decision?
Moderation and Steering Clear of Political Bickering
For two months, the political arena in Hargeisa was overshadowed by fierce rivalries and media accusations rooted in the Local Council dispute. Throughout this uproar, Soltelco was absent from television screens and avoided the contentious public forums. This calculated silence was a profound strategy aimed at preventing himself from being pigeonholed or associated with a specific clan or region.
When he appeared at the election hall this morning with a calm demeanor, his message was clear: he presented himself as a broad-minded statesman with high ambitions of keeping the capital united, transcending emotional and divisive politics. This further cemented his reputation as a moderate politician who embraces peace and avoids the tribal rhetoric that has recently become a standard for many politicians to rely on.
The Gabiley Calculus and Securing Political Favors
On the other hand, the support Soltelco extended to Eng. Adan Jama Haddi (Mideeye) for the Deputy Mayor position was not merely based on administrative cooperation, but rather a political calculation with a long-term vision. Mideeye, who originally hails from the Gabiley region, and Soltelco both emerged from the Kulmiye party during the May 2021 elections.
The fact that Soltelco used his vote to secure Mideeye's position at a time when all other councilors aligned with the deputy boycotted the session is interpreted as a highly valuable political favor. This move appears to be a strategic card Soltelco is keeping in reserve, signaling his ambition to eventually consolidate political support across both the Maroodi Jeh and Gabiley regions. It is a diplomatic maneuver indicating that he has not yet given up on the national political stage.
Blessings, Unity, and a Warning Against Collapse
Following the conclusion of the election, Abdirahman Soltelco delivered a brief speech carrying a patriotic message and a stark warning. He clearly outlined his original role, stating,
"I pray for the newly elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Truthfully, I am not one of the councilors who brought forth the motion, but if the rope is not loosened, the city will collapse on us. I want us to govern our city with unity."
These words illuminated the true intent behind his vote: saving the system. Recognizing that the prolonged conflict within the Local Council was crippling essential services for the public, Soltelco chose to compromise to keep the capital functioning. It was a concession made to protect the greater good rather than focusing on personal rivalries.
Ultimately, today's election in Hargeisa will go down in history as the day a single vote became the backbone of an administrative overhaul. Abdirahman Soltelco proved that his political weight is not tethered to the mayoral seat he once occupied, but rather lies in his ability to understand the times and make tough decisions during critical moments. The new leadership of Wiiwaa and Mideeye take office fully aware that the stability of their seats and the unity of the council heavily depend on experienced politicians who know exactly when to pull the rope and when to let it loose.
