Somaliland Information Minister Resigns Following Cancellation of Xeer Ciise Commemoration

Somalia, December 7, 2025 – Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayanle, resigned from his position on Saturday night after President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi ‘Irro’, canceled  plans to hold the Xeer Ciise commemoration.

Speaking to the press in Hargeisa, Ayanle stated that the initial decision to allow the commemoration, which had sparked violence, deaths, and injuries, was made by the Somaliland cabinet and announced by him.

He added that this decision had caused pain to his community in Awdal, while the decision to cancel was a good one, and the president himself made it his own.

“I cannot imagine that such a bitter decision—one that ignited violence in my own community—would be delegated to me, While the cool, sweet, and calming President becomes the spokesperson. That's not me, I am not capable of accepting that,” said the Minister.