As the term of Hargeisa Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge comes to an end, many people across the city are reflecting on his remarkable leadership and lasting achievements. His departure marks the end of an important chapter in the history of Hargeisa.
Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge will be remembered as the most successful, hardworking, and respected mayor Hargeisa has ever had. He entered office with a clear vision, strong principles, and a genuine desire to serve his people. Unlike many politicians who make promises and fail to deliver, Mayor Mooge fulfilled the promises he made to the people.
The people of Maroodijeeh region elected him with a landslide victory of nearly 27,000 votes, the highest vote totals ever received by a local council candidate. The council then elected him as Mayor of Hargeisa. From the first day of his leadership, he showed commitment, honesty, dedication, and effectiveness.
During his time in office, Hargeisa witnessed visible progress in almost every corner of the city. Whether in road construction, public services, healthcare, education, security, cleanliness, youth development, social welfare, or city beautification, the city moved forward under his leadership.
One of his greatest achievements was the construction of new roads and the rehabilitation of existing ones. Roads that had been neglected for years were repaired, making transportation easier and improving the appearance of the city. Many neighbourhoods benefited from better road infrastructure for the first time.
Mayor Mooge also invested heavily in healthcare services. New health centres were built, while existing facilities were renovated and improved. This helped increase access to healthcare for many residents and strengthened community health services.
Education was another priority. Primary and elementary schools were renovated and improved, creating a better learning environment for thousands of students. He understood that investing in education was investing in the future of Hargeisa.
He also valued the important role that religious schools play in society. He supported Quranic schools and other religious learning institutions, recognizing their contribution to moral education, community development, and the preservation of Islamic values. His administration maintained positive relations with religious leaders and educational institutions throughout the city.
Security infrastructure also received attention. New police stations were constructed and existing facilities were upgraded, helping law enforcement agencies serve the public more effectively.
Another important achievement of Mayor Mooge was strengthening local government services by constructing new administrative offices in several districts of Hargeisa. Modern district headquarters were built in areas such as Mohamed Mooge, Mohamoud Haybe, Ibraahim Koodbuur, Ahmed Dhagah, and Gacan Libaax, bringing government services closer to the people and improving the working environment for local administrators. Several other district administration buildings are also underway and are expected to serve residents for many years to come. These projects helped strengthen local governance and demonstrated his commitment to developing every part of the city, not just the city centre.
Perhaps one of the most visible achievements of his administration was the cleanliness and beautification of Hargeisa. The city became cleaner, greener, and more attractive. Trees were planted across different parts of the city, and efforts to improve sanitation were strengthened. Residents and visitors alike noticed the positive changes.
His administration also empowered hygiene and public health departments to inspect medicines, food products, and other consumable goods. This helped protect public health and improved standards across the city.
Mayor Mooge’s leadership was not limited to infrastructure projects. He also focused on helping the most vulnerable members of society. He supported needy families, assisted poor citizens, and worked to improve the lives of people who had been forgotten for many years.
One of his most compassionate achievements was providing land to homeless families and internally displaced people. He also supported the construction of houses for poor citizens, giving many families dignity, stability, and hope for a better future.
His compassion extended to orphaned children as well. He regularly supported orphanages and vulnerable children, helping to improve their welfare and quality of life. His concern for the less fortunate demonstrated that leadership is not only about building roads and infrastructure but also about caring for people who need support the most.
Mayor Mooge also understood the importance of investing in young people. Throughout his term, he encouraged youth participation in community development and supported initiatives that helped young people build skills, confidence, and hope for the future. Many young people saw him as an approachable leader who listened to their concerns and encouraged them to become active citizens.
The sports sector also benefited from his leadership. He supported sports activities, youth tournaments, and community competitions, recognizing that sports play an important role in promoting health, unity, discipline, and social development. His support gave many young athletes opportunities to develop their talents and represent their communities with pride.
Another historic achievement was the rebuilding of Waaheen Market after the devastating fire that destroyed the heart of Hargeisa’s business community. Many people feared recovery would take years, but under Mayor Mooge’s leadership, the market was rebuilt and business units were distributed fairly and transparently. Traders appreciated the process, and many saw it as a model of fairness and accountability.
Beyond local development, Mayor Mooge strengthened Hargeisa’s regional relationships. Under his leadership, Hargeisa established sister-city partnerships with Jigjiga and Djibouti. These partnerships promoted friendship, cooperation, cultural exchange, and opportunities for collaboration in trade, education, urban development, and public services. They also helped raise the profile of Hargeisa in the region and strengthened ties with neighbouring cities.
What made Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge different from many politicians was his honesty and integrity. He remained a clean politician throughout his term. He promised to serve only one term as mayor and stayed true to his word. In a political environment where many leaders seek to hold onto power, his decision to honour his promise earned him even greater respect.
Compared to many of his predecessors, Mayor Mooge delivered visible results that citizens could see and experience in their daily lives. Roads were built, schools were improved, health centres were upgraded, police stations were constructed, Waaheen Market was rebuilt, poor families were assisted, orphaned children were supported, and the city became cleaner and greener. Youth were encouraged, sports were promoted, religious schools were supported, and regional partnerships were established. His leadership transformed words into action.
His administration showed that public office is not about personal gain but about public service. He demonstrated that honesty, transparency, and dedication can produce meaningful results. He raised expectations for future leaders and set a new standard for municipal governance in Somaliland.
Today, many citizens see him not only as a successful mayor but also as a role model for future generations of leaders. His legacy will remain visible in the roads, schools, health centres, markets, police stations, parks, and neighbourhoods that benefited from his leadership.
As he leaves office, the people of Hargeisa have every reason to be proud of what was achieved during his term. They also have every reason to thank a leader who served with commitment, courage, sincerity, and humility.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your service, your dedication, and your love for the people of Hargeisa.
You promised the people that you would serve only one term, and you kept your promise. You promised to work for the people, and you delivered. You showed that leadership is about action, honesty, and service. In doing so, you set a new standard that future mayors will be measured against.
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May Allah bless you and your family. May He reward you for the good you have done for your people and your city.
We wish you even greater success in the future. Whatever path you choose next, the people of Hargeisa will remember your service and your achievements for many years to come.
Farewell, Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge.
You came, you served, and you made a difference.
By Abdikarim Ali Baarjeeh
