Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo

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Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo

2nd Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
1993 – 1994
Preceded by	Mohammed Said Bareh
Succeeded by	Petros Solomon
2nd Minister of Local Government
In office
2000 – 2001
Succeeded by	none
Born	1948 Southern Region, Eritrea
Political party	PFDJ

Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo (1948-2003?) served briefly as the Head of State of Eritrea while the President was away. Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo is commonly known simply as 'Sherifo' and joined the Eritrean Liberation Front in 1967.

He also served a Minister of Foreign Affairs before his last posting as Minister of Local Government. During this time he was also appointed Chairman of the Committee to prepare the draft laws concerning the first round of National Elections and the Political Party laws. Once the drafts were completed the Chairman of the National Assembly (and President), Isaias Afewerki summoned a report on the drafts. Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo declined and for his defiance was dismissed from his official positions in the Cabinet.^[1]

He has been detained since 2001 following the G-15 affair. Dissidents suggest he has been detained for campaigning for democratic reforms^[2] while official sources contend that his detention is a consequence of "discreetly...solicit[ing] support in government circles for ousting the president, and to seek US and UN intervention to end the war on Ethiopia's surrender terms."^[3] while being detained.

Concern exists that he may have died in 2003 though no verification has been made.

[edit] References

1. ^ Habteselassie, Bereket (2002). The Making of the Eritrean Constitution. Red Sea Press. ISBN 1569021619.
2. ^ Election 2001. Retrieved on 2006-09-02.
3. ^ Eritrea: Party Puts its Case Against Dissidents. Retrieved on 2006-09-02.