HARGEISA — Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Cirro” has formally submitted a request to the country’s two parliamentary chambers seeking the removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Adan Haji Ali Ahmed, according to reports from local media citing official sources.
The request has been forwarded to the House of Representatives and the House of Elders (Guurti), asking lawmakers to review whether the Chief Justice should be stripped of his official position following a reported disagreement between the presidency and the head of the judiciary.
Sources said the president’s move is based on legal and constitutional arguments that will now be examined by Parliament. Under Somaliland’s constitutional system, the president does not have the unilateral power to dismiss the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Instead, the matter must be presented to Parliament, which has the authority to debate and decide on such a recommendation.
The two chambers are expected to convene a joint session to discuss the presidential request and review the legal grounds behind the proposed removal. Lawmakers will determine whether the reasons presented meet the constitutional requirements for dismissing the head of the country’s highest court.
If Parliament rejects the request, Chief Justice Adan Haji Ali Ahmed would remain in office. However, if lawmakers approve the motion, the Chief Justice would lose his position, paving the way for President Cirro to begin the process of appointing a replacement.
According to reports, the dispute intensified after the Chief Justice allegedly declined to resign voluntarily despite pressure from the presidency. Sources claimed that the administration had expected him to step down independently, but his refusal led the matter to be referred to Parliament.
The development has drawn attention because it involves the relationship between Somaliland’s executive and judicial branches, raising questions about institutional independence, constitutional procedures, and the balance of power between state institutions.
The parliamentary review is expected to determine the next stage of the dispute, with observers closely watching how lawmakers handle the president’s request and whether the process will lead to a change in the leadership of Somaliland’s Supreme Court.
