Political Parties Registration Committee Upholds Mohamed Kahin’s Kulmiye Leadership
- Gallaydh News Desk
- May 4
- 3 min read
HARGEISA, Somaliland (May 3, 2026) : The Somaliland Committee for the Registration of Political Associations and Approval of National Parties has issued a decisive ruling, putting an end to the protracted internal leadership dispute that has paralyzed the upper echelons of the Kulmiye opposition party. The ruling, which follows a formal complaint filed by a faction led by the former Chairman of the Central Committee, Mohamud Jama Warfa, officially upholds Party Chairman Mohamed Kahin Ahmed's prior decision to dismiss Warfa from his post and expel him from the party.
The Committee's Verdict and Warfa's Legal Violations
After thoroughly reviewing the arguments and evidence presented by Mohamud Jama Warfa and his legal counsel, the Registration Committee dismissed the petition entirely. The committee concluded that Warfa had deliberately engaged in unlawful activities that directly undermined the unity and regulatory framework of the party.
The committee found Warfa guilty of several major infractions, specifically:
Illegal Usurpation of Power: Unilaterally declaring himself the acting leader of the Kulmiye party without following the proper statutory procedures outlined in the party's constitution.
Unlawful Convening of Meetings: Illegally summoning the party's Executive Committee while falsely claiming an authority he did not possess.
Damaging the Party's Reputation: Engaging in actions that severely harmed the administrative hierarchy, public reputation, and daily operations of the Kulmiye party.
Consequently, the committee ruled that Chairman Mohamed Kahin's process for stripping Warfa of his membership and dismissing him from his role as Central Committee Chairman was in full compliance with the National Political Parties Law (Law No. 14/2023) and Kulmiye’s internal bylaws.
The Roots of the Rift: A Battle for the Party's Future
The crisis that recently shook the foundations of the Kulmiye party is not a sudden development. Its roots trace back to a deep political disagreement that began in late 2025 over the scheduling of the party's General Convention. In November 2025, Chairman Mohamed Kahin Ahmed announced a two year postponement of the convention, a decision that was met with fierce opposition from several senior party figures.
The ensuing power struggle evolved into a highly publicized clash between two political veterans who had been close allies for forty years: former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and Chairman Mohamed Kahin Ahmed. Bihi argued that the convention should be held on time to allow for a democratic contest for the party's leadership, actively backing Mohamud Jama Warfa, who was also demanding immediate structural changes.
During the fallout, Warfa repeatedly told the media that Kulmiye was losing its edge as an opposition party, accusing the current leadership of secretly aligning with the ruling government to protect unlawful activities.
Abdinasir Buuni and the Push for a Supreme Court Appeal
The legal battle also involved Abdinasir Mohamed Buuni, the former Kulmiye spokesperson who was expelled from the party on November 29, 2025, over allegations of violating party rules and failing to fulfill his duties. Buuni, alongside Warfa, led the faction challenging Kahin's authority.
Following the committee's ruling today, Abdinasir Buuni announced that his faction entirely rejects the decision and will escalate the matter to the Somaliland Supreme Court. "We have appealed the Kulmiye party case to the Supreme Court," Buuni stated, expressing hope that the nation's highest judicial body will rule in their favor.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Kulmiye Party
The Kulmiye party, which held the reins of the Somaliland government for 14 years, now appears to be entering a new phase of internal restructuring and consolidation. Today's ruling grants Chairman Mohamed Kahin Ahmed the upper hand, providing him with the full legal mandate to continue leading the party and to prepare for the upcoming electoral cycles.
However, political analysts note that this bitter internal conflict among the party's most influential figures may have lasting effects. The public infighting risks further weakening Kulmiye's political leverage and social standing, particularly in light of the party placing third in last year's political association elections.
The committee's decision took effect immediately as of yesterday, May 3, 2026. The opposing faction has been granted a standard 30 day window to officially file their appeal with the Supreme Court.
