A Historic Departure: Mayor Mooge Leaves Behind a Debt-Free Hargeisa, a $25 Million World Bank Megaproject, and a Final Warning
- Gallaydh News Desk
- May 31
- 3 min read
HARGEISA - The political landscape of Somaliland's capital underwent a monumental shift this week as outgoing Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge officially handed over the reins of the city to the newly selected Mayor, Abdirizak Farah Wiiwaa. Held at the National Army Hall and attended by high-ranking dignitaries and civil society members, the grand ceremony marked the end of Mooge's dynamic five-year tenure, cementing a legacy of infrastructural progress and unprecedented fiscal discipline.
A Rare Legacy: Zero Debt and a Cash Surplus
In a region where political transitions are notoriously plagued by inherited institutional debt, Mooge shattered the status quo. He departs the Hargeisa Municipality not only entirely debt-free but with a substantial cash surplus in the municipal treasury.
Municipal Executive Secretary Mukhtar Mohamed Gahnuug, widely known as Boosh-Cadde, confirmed this landmark achievement to the attendees.
"Mayor Mooge did not hand over a single cent of debt today," Boosh-Cadde declared.
He praised the outgoing mayor as a deeply committed leader who consistently placed the capital's development above all else.
During his relatively short but highly active tenure, Mooge earned a reputation as one of the most productive mayors in the city's history, overseeing the construction of modern roads, educational facilities, and the city's first multi-story district headquarters, alongside spearheading massive community-led sanitation drives.
Political Fractures on Display
Despite the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the financial and developmental milestones, the handover painfully exposed the deep political fractures within the city council. Originally, protocol dictated a joint handover ceremony featuring both the outgoing mayor and his deputy.
However, Mooge stood alone at the podium. His former deputy, Khadar Nur, opted to hold a brief, private handover ceremony in his own office the day prior. This glaring physical separation perfectly encapsulates the intense rivalries, gridlock, and political infighting that have plagued the 17-member local council since their election five years ago.
A Parting Warning and a Global Audience
In his farewell address, Mooge struck a deeply philosophical and cautionary tone. He reminded the citizens of Somaliland that the international community is watching them with intense scrutiny, particularly in light of the nation's newly achieved de jureĀ diplomatic recognition.
"The world is now watching us closely," Mooge warned the audience. "People are asking whether Somaliland will successfully uphold this first recognition it has received. Let us show the world that we will not fail."
He urged the public to safeguard their peaceful solidarity and national cohesion. Framing his five years in office as a sacred trust, he noted that public service is the highest honor of his life and that he was returning that trust to the people with immense pride.
The New Administration's Pledge
Taking the helm, Mayor Abdirizak Farah Wiiwaa struck a unifying chord, promising equitable governance for all districts of the rapidly expanding capital. "Starting today, I am the Mayor of Hargeisa, and all residents of Hargeisa are equal in my eyes," Wiiwaa declared, pledging a renewed focus on public service delivery.
His deputy, Eng. Aadan Jama Mideeye, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the immense expectations placed upon the new administration. "Today we feel a growing weight of responsibility, one that we ourselves sought and willingly accepted," Mideeye stated. The incoming administration now faces the formidable challenge of matching or exceeding the high benchmark set by their predecessor.
The $25 Million World Bank Project
Mooge's parting gift to the city was the announcement of a massive infrastructural overhaul. Before stepping down from the podium, he revealed that the World Bank has officially approved a $25 million project for the Hargeisa Municipality, which is set to commence in June 2026.
Demonstrating the project's readiness, Mooge confirmed that the first installment of $500,000 is already sitting in the municipality's accounts. This ambitious blueprint targets critical arteries of the city and includes:
The construction of the highly anticipated 150 Street.
The paving of Al-Huda Road in the Mahmud Haybe district.
The development of Qalah Road in the Ahmed Dhagax district.
The construction of the Boqol Jire Bridge, which will connect the 31 May and Gacma-dheere districts.
A vital new road dedicated to serving the capital's internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The Final Act: Mooge Resigns from the Council
The dramatic week culminated on May 31, 2026, when Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge took an unexpected final step. Having already been voted out of the mayoralty by the council and handing over the executive office, Mooge officially resigned from his seat as a member of the Hargeisa Local Council altogether, completely vacating the political stage to allow for fresh leadership.
Stepping into the vacuum left by the populist titan is Lawyer Idiris Abdi Mohamed, who officially joins the Hargeisa Local Council to fill Mooge's vacant seat. Idiris, a prominent political figure serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee for the ruling Waddani party, will now take on the responsibility of representing constituents in a newly configured and highly scrutinized local government.
