His Excellency the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), presided over an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers today, accompanied by the Vice President. The primary objective of this high-level meeting was to provide a comprehensive briefing on the President’s recent official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Key Outcomes of the Presidential Briefing
During the session, the President informed the Council that, over the course of a four-day official visit, the Somaliland delegation engaged in more than ten high-level discussions with senior UAE officials. These deliberations focused on strengthening bilateral relations and fostering strategic cooperation in the following key sectors:
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Economic Development and Investment
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Job Creation and Infrastructure Development
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Agriculture and Livestock Industry Growth
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Advancement of Education and Human Capital Development
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Mining and Energy Sector Collaboration
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Strengthening Central Bank Cooperation
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Expansion of DP World’s Investment in Somaliland
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Security and Regional Stability
Resolutions Adopted by the Council of Ministers
Following extensive deliberations, the Council of Ministers ratified the following resolutions:
1. Military Personnel Audit and Enhancement
The Council formally approved a national framework for the assessment, restructuring, and professional development of the country’s armed forces. The resolution was unanimously endorsed by all 38 members present.
2. Implementation of Direct Sales Tax Collection
To enhance fiscal efficiency and streamline government revenue collection, the Council approved the implementation of a direct sales tax system, applicable to:
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Mobile Money Transactions (Zaad, eDahab, MyCash, Sahal, etc.)
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Payments via Banking and Digital Wallet Applications (DahabPlus, Waafi, PremierWallet, AmalBank, IBS Bank, etc.)
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Mobile Airtime and Internet Service Top-ups
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Utility Bill Payments, including Electricity Services
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Other Structured and Unstructured Digital Transactions
Ministerial Oversight for Implementation
To ensure the effective execution of the newly adopted sales tax framework, the President appointed the following ministers to oversee its implementation:
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Minister of Finance and Economic Development
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Minister of Telecommunications and Technology
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Minister of the Presidency
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Minister of Aviation and Airport Development
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Minister of Mining and Energy
The Republic of Somaliland remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering economic prosperity, strengthening national security, and enhancing strategic international partnerships for sustainable development.
Presidency Press Office
Republic Of Somaliland
