The first president was Aden Abdullah Osman Daar, and the 10th office is currently held by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Since then the office has been held by eight further people: Abdirashid Ali Shermarke, Mohamed Siad Barre, Ali Mahdi, Abdiqasim Salad, Abdullahi Yusuf, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

He was succeeded in office by General Muse Hassan, who had been serving in an interim capacity.

[5] To become the president of Somalia, the candidate must:[3] (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.

[citation needed] On assuming office, the president takes the following oath before the parliament[citation needed]; I swear in the name of Allah that I will perform my duties honestly and in the best interest of the Nation, People, and Religion and that I will abide by the Constitution and the other Laws of the Country.An outline of the duties is as follows:[3]