Website villasomalia.gov.so | Formation 1 July 1960 | |
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Term length Four years, renewable once Inaugural holder Aden Abdullah Osman Daar | ||
The President of Somalia (Somali: Madaxaweynaha Soomaaliya) is the head of state of Somalia. The President is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The President represents the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the unity of the Somali nation, as well as ensuring the implementation of the Constitution of Somalia and the organized and harmonious functioning of the organs of state. The office of President of Somalia was established with the proclamation of the Republic of Somalia on 1 July 1960. The first President of Somalia was Aden Abdullah Osman Daar. The current office-holder is the 9th President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, since 16 February 2017.
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History
The first President of Somalia was Aden Abdullah Osman Daar, one of the leaders of the Somali Youth League (SYL), who took office on 1 July 1960, the day on which Somalia was declared a republic. Since then the office has been held by seven further people: Abdirashid Ali Shermarke, Mohamed Siyad Barre, Ali Mahdi, Abdiqasim Salad, Abdullahi Yusuf, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In addition, Sheikh Mukhtar acted as President between Sharmarke's assassination and the coup d'état, and Aden Madobe acted as President after Yusuf's resignation in the 2008.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed took office on 31 January 2009, after being elected by the presidential election held on January 2009. Ahmed's term as President of Somalia officially ended In August 2012, concurrent with the conclusion of the Transitional Federal Government's mandate and the start of the Federal Government of Somalia. He was succeeded in office by General Muse Hassan, who had been serving in an interim capacity.
Immediate past President Mohamud took office on 16 September 2012, after being elected by the presidential election held on 10 September 2012.
Qualifications and Election
In order to become the President of Somalia, the candidate must:
(a) Be a Somali citizen and a Muslim; (b) Be not less than forty years of age; (c) Have relevant knowledge or experience for the role; (d) Be sound of mind; and (e) Not have been convicted by a court of a major crime.
The election of the President must begin at least 30 days before the term of office of the incumbent president expires or 10 days after the presidency falls vacant, and must be completed within 30 days of the beginning of the election, Candidates must be declared to the bureau of the parliament within the first 10 days of this period, and elections must be completed within the remaining 20 days.
Formerly, the President was elected by the members of the Somali Parliament.quirements and who are eligible to become members of parliament.
Term of office
The President is selected for a term of office of four years, and can be re-elected only once. The term of office of the incumbent president continues until the President-elect takes office. On assuming office, the president takes the following oath before the parliament;
Duties and responsibilities
An outline of the duties are as follow:
Living former Presidents
As of March 2017, there are four living former Presidents of Somalia, as seen below.
The most recent President to die was Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (served 2004–2008), on 23 March 2012 aged 77.