Hargeisa Town Hall Meetings: A New Era of Accountability and Public Engagement

First District Meeting: Restoring Direct Dialogue After Three Years.

On July 29th, Hargeisa witnessed a groundbreaking moment in local governance—the first public town hall meeting held in three years since the election of the current local government. For too long, officials had reported only to parliamentary committees, leaving citizens with little opportunity to directly question their leaders. But this time, the people finally had their voices heard.

The event, held in 26 June District, brought together

key figures including:

• Deputy Mayor Khadar Ahmed

• Local Councilor Mohamed Abiib

  
  

The meeting opened with remarks from Dr. Ahmed Hussein Esse, setting the stage for a rare and much-needed conversation. Deputy Mayor Khadar Ahmed then took the floor for 20 minutes, presenting a detailed overview of the local government’s work—marking the first time in years that officials had publicly accounted for their actions outside of parliamentary briefings.

When the Q&A session began, residents wasted no time pressing officials on critical issues:

"How does the local government decide which roads to build or repair first?" a participant asked.

Deputy Mayor Khadar Ahmed responded:

"Road planning isn’t arbitrary, we assess traffic flow, economic impact, and connectivity needs. Our goal is a road network that boosts mobility and supports Hargeisa’s growth."

Another resident challenged the officials: "What’s being done to tackle Hargeisa’s waste management problems?"

Councilor Mohamed Abiib outlined their strategy:

"We’re tackling sanitation on multiple fronts expanding waste collection, upgrading infrastructure, and running public awareness campaigns. A cleaner Hargeisa requires everyone’s participation."

Second Town Hall: Maxamed Mooge District Speaks Up

Building on this momentum, another pivotal town hall took place on August 25th in Maxamed Mooge district, drawing an impressive 200+ attendees, a clear sign of growing public engagement. Three key councilors participated:

1. Abdikarim Hassan Abdi

2. Hussein Ibrahim Askar

3. Siciid Abdirsak Cudhay

Khadar Mariano facilitated the discussion, with each councilor given 15 minutes to outline their plans before residents took center stage.

The community raised urgent concerns, reflecting the district’s unique role as home to Hargeisa’s airport and livestock market—key revenue generators that ironically lack basic infrastructure

One resident demanded: "This district contributes major tax revenue, but where are our roads and Maternal Health Centers (MCHs)?"

Councilor Abdikarim Hassan Abdi responded:

"We’re prioritizing partnerships to secure funding for roads and MCHs. Your taxes should directly benefit your communities, and we’re working to make that happen."

A woman highlighted worsening waste and deforestation: "What’s being done to protect our environment?"

Councilor Hussein Ibrahim Askar pledged:

"We’re launching waste management programs and anti-deforestation initiatives with environmental groups. Sustainability is non-negotiable."

A parent voiced frustrations over education gaps: "How will you fix teacher shortages and school shortages?"

Councilor Siciid Abdirsak Cudhay gave a frank response:

"While the Ministry of Education controls most schools, we oversee primary education in Hargeisa. We’re pushing for more infrastructure and teacher training—but we need advocacy to expand local authority."

What’s Next?

The public’s message is clear: These meetings must continue, and promises must turn into action. If sustained, this model could redefine how Somaliland’s government serves its people—starting with the communities that fund it.