Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed

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Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
محمد عبد الله محمد
Prime Minister of Somalia
In office
31 October 2010 – 19 June 2011
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
Preceded by Abdiwahid Elmi Gonjeh (Acting)
Succeeded by Abdiweli Mohamed Ali
Chairman of the Tayo Political Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 May 2012
Preceded by Inaugural
Ambassador of Somalia to the United States
In office
1985–1989
Personal details
Born 1962 (age 51–52)
Mogadishu, Somalia
Political party Tayo
Alma mater University at Buffalo
Religion Islam

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmajo" (Somali: Maxamed Cabdulaahi Maxamed Farmaajo, Arabic: محمد عبد الله محمد‎) (born in 1962 in Mogadishu, Somalia) is a Somali diplomat, professor and politician. He is the former Prime Minister of Somalia and is the founder and Secretary-General of the Tayo Political Party.

Background

Personal life

Mohamed was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1962 to a Marehan Darod family.[1][2][3] Nicknamed "Farmajo",[4] he hails from the Gedo region in the south.[3]

Mohamed's parents were activists affiliated with the Somali Youth League (SYL), Somalia's first political party. During the 1970s, his father worked as a civil servant in the national Department of Transportation.[5]

Mohamed holds both Somali and American citizenship.[6] He is married to Zeinab Moallim, with whom he has four children; two sons and two daughters, aged 7 to 19 in 2010.[7]

Education

For his secondary education, Mohamed attended a local boarding school in Somalia.[5]

Between 1989 and 1993, he completed a Bachelor's degree in History from the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York in Buffalo, New York. He followed that in 2009 with a Master's degree in Political Science (American Studies) from the University at Buffalo again.[6][7] His thesis was titled: "U.S. Strategic Interest in Somalia: From the Cold War Era to the War on Terror."[7]

Early career

In an administrative capacity, Mohamed worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia before the collapse of the federal government in 1991 and the ensuing civil war.[8] Between 1985 and 1988, he also acted as First Secretary in the Somali embassy in Washington and worked with various human rights organizations.[6][8][9]

From 1994 to 1997, Mohamed was chosen as an at-large Commissioner for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, and worked there as the finance chairman.[2][7] He also served as case manager for a lead abatement program in the city from 1995 to 1999. Between 2000 and 2002, Mohamed was a minority business coordinator for the Erie County Division of Equal Employment Opportunity.[7] From 2002 until his appointment as Prime Minister in late 2010, he worked as Commissioner for Equal Employment at the New York State Department of Transportation in Buffalo.[8]

Mohamed also taught leadership skills and conflict resolution at Erie Community College, which is part of the SUNY system.[6]

Prime Minister

Appointment

On October 14, 2010, Mohamed was appointed the new Prime Minister of Somalia. He replaced Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who resigned the month before following a protracted dispute with the President.[6]

Political analysts that weighed in on the selection generally expressed optimism in Mohamed's prospects of fulfilling his duties as Premier in the face of an obstinate insurgency in the southern part of the country. Factors cited included Mohamed's background in the Somali diaspora and lack of political baggage; his relatively young age, which they suggested might help galvanize the government by presenting a fresh perspective; his administrative experience and familiarity with the protocols of classical democracies; and his diplomatic demeanor.[3][8]

After several postponements following disagreements between President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden over whether the ensuing vote of confidence should be decided by a show of hands or a secret ballot,[4] lawmakers overwhelmingly approved Mohamed's appointment on October 31, 2010. 297 of the 392 Members of Parliament endorsed the selection via hand-raising; 92 MPs voted against and 3 abstained.[3][10]

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon congratulated Mohamed on his new appointment, and commended the Somali leadership for having reached a consensus on procedural arrangements that facilitated a transparent and consultative confirmation of the Premier.[11] African Union chairman Jean Ping also welcomed the new Prime Minister and re-affirmed the AU's support for the Somali government.[12]

On November 1, 2010, Mohamed was sworn into office at a ceremony held in the presidential residence, Villa Somalia.[13]

New Cabinet

On November 12, 2010, Mohamed named a new Cabinet,[14] as per the Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) Charter.[15]

The Premier issued a statement indicating that "the Somali people and the international community were waiting for a competent and credible Somali cabinet, and I am happy to appoint this lean but capable cabinet".[16]

As had been expected, the allotted ministerial positions were significantly reduced in number, with only 18 administrative posts unveiled versus the previous government's bloated 39 portfolios.[14][16] Only two Ministers from the previous Cabinet were reappointed: Hussein Abdi Halane, the former Minister of Finance and a well-regarded figure in the international community, was put in charge of a consolidated Ministry of Finance and Treasury; and Dr. Mohamud Abdi Ibrahim was reassigned to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.[17]

Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, a moderate Sufi group and an important military ally of the TFG, was also accorded the key Interior and Labour ministries.[16][17]

The remaining ministerial positions were largely assigned to technocrats new to the Somali political arena:[18] Abdihakim Mohamoud Haji Faqi, a former diplomat, was appointed one of several Deputy Prime Ministers in addition to the important post of Minister of Defense; the diplomat Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar resumed duties as Foreign Minister, a position he had already held in the past; Dr. Maryan Qasim Ahmed joined the government as Minister for Women and Family Affairs; Dr. Abdishakur Sheikh Hassan Farah as Minister for Internal Affairs and Security; Abdirashid Khalif Hashi as Minister of Housing and National Rebuilding; Abdulkareem Hassan Jama as Minister of Information; and Abdullahi Abyan Noor as Minister for Justice and Religious Issues.[16][17][18]

President Sharif Ahmed also welcomed the new Cabinet and encouraged parliament to endorse the appointments.[18]

After another lengthy delay over disagreements regarding the Cabinet's composition and size, members of parliament approved Mohamed's new government on November 27, 2010. 251 of the 343 lawmakers that attended the voting session endorsed the Cabinet, while 92 legislators opposed it.[19]

Reforms

In its first 50 days in office, Prime Minister Mohamed's administration completed its first monthly payment of stipends to government soldiers, and initiated the implementation of a full biometric register for the security forces within a window of four months. Additional members of the Independent Constitutional Commission were also appointed to engage Somali constitutional lawyers, religious scholars and experts in Somali culture over the nation's scheduled new constitution, a key part of the government's Transitional Federal Tasks. In addition, high level federal delegations were dispatched to defuse clan-related tensions in several regions.[20]

To improve transparency, Cabinet ministers fully disclosed their assets and signed a code of ethics. An Anti-Corruption Commission with the power to carry out formal investigations and to review government decisions and protocols was also established so as to more closely monitor all activities by public officials. Furthermore, unnecessary trips abroad by members of government were prohibited, and all travel by ministers now require the Premier's consent.[20][21] A budget outlining 2011’s federal expenditures was also put before and approved by members of parliament, with the payment of civil service employees prioritized. In addition, a full audit of government property and vehicles is being put into place.[20]

On the war front, the new government and its AMISOM allies also managed to secure control of 60% of Mogadishu, where 80% of the capital's population at the time lived. With almost a thousand newly trained government troops on the way, set to be augmented by an additional 4000 AMISOM soldiers, the pace of territorial gains was expected to greatly accelerate.[20]

Kampala Accord

After months of political infighting between President Sharif Ahmed and the Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan over whether to hold presidential elections in August 2011, the two politicians struck a deal in Kampala on June 9, 2011 to postpone the vote for a new President and Parliament Speaker for one year in exchange for the resignation of the Premier within a period of thirty days. Overseen by the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the U.N. Special Envoy to Somalia Augustine Mahiga, the signed Kampala Accord would also see the well-regarded technocratic Cabinet that Prime Minister Mohamed had assembled in November 2010 re-composed to make way for a new government. Political analysts have suggested that the agreement may have been a bid on President Sharif Ahmed's part to fend off attempts by the Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan to force him from power by pre-emptively "sacrificing" the Premier.[22] Sharif Hassan is also reported to harbor presidential ambitions of his own.[23]

Somali activist Shadya Yasin energizes the crowd at a pro-Farmajo rally in Toronto (June 2011).

Announcement of Prime Minister Mohamed's proposed resignation was immediately met with protests in various cities. Thousands of civilians, many government soldiers, and some legislators marched through the streets of Mogadishu, calling for the dismissal of the President, the Parliament Speaker and the Parliament.[24][25] The crowd also demanded that the Premier be reinstated and described Mohamed as the "only honest leader in recent years".[24] Posters of the UN Special Envoy were symbolically burned, with protestors appealing to the UN Secretary General to dismiss Mahiga due to what many felt was the latter's infringement on Somalia's sovereignty through his signing of the Kampala agreement.[26] Attacks on hotels in which members of parliament were staying and at least five deaths were also reported. Additional demonstrations against the Premier's resignation were held in Galkacyo, a key trading city in the north-central Mudug region, as well as in Belet Hawo in the far south.[24] Internationally, protests also reportedly took place in Cairo, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Sydney, London, Rome, Stockholm, Minneapolis and Toronto.[26]

In response, Prime Minister Mohamed released a statement through the state-run Radio Mogadishu commending the military for its rapid response and urging its troops to exercise restraint. He also appealed to the public to calm down, and indicated that "I have seen your expressions and heard your calls[...] You are part of the decision making — what you want must be heard."[24] Additionally, in a press conference, the Premier called for the immediate release of all protestors who had been detained, and stated that his administration would launch an independent investigation into their arrest.[27] Weighing in on the demonstrations, Mogadishu's Mayor Mohamed Nur suggested that "what [the demonstrators] have a problem with is that two people go and decide the fate of this government without considering the feelings of this population", and that putting the issue before Parliament for approval was a more democratic course of action.[28]

On June 11, 2011, Prime Minister Mohamed released a statement indicating that the Kampala decision ought to be presented in Parliament for debate and appraised according to the laws stipulated in the national constitution. The Premier also stated that he would only step down if lawmakers voted to uphold the accord.[29] This was echoed by the Cabinet, which indicated in a press release that, after having convened to discuss the Kampala decision, the Ministers agreed that the accord must be put before Parliament for evaluation.[30] In addition, over 200 parliamentarians reportedly sought to urge the Prime Minister to reconvene Parliament so as to deliberate the decision, indicating in a separate statement that the accord deprived MPs of their legislative role vis-a-vis the government.[29]

On June 12, 2011, President Sharif Ahmed released a statement wherein he condemned the protests, describing them as "illegal".[30][31] He also suggested that some government officials were financing the rallies in Mogadishu, and warned that the Al-Shabaab group of Islamists that is waging war against the federal government could try to exploit the gatherings to launch terrorist attacks.[31]

The same day, news reports surfaced indicating that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon would sack Special Envoy Augustine Mahiga on account of a lack of tangible progress made and public confidence in Mahiga's work in Somalia. UN sources also stated that, due to prevalent allegations of graft, the Secretary General would fire half of the senior staff in various UN bureaus, including the UNPOS, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and OCHA.[26]

In an interview on June 16, 2011, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs of Italy, Alfredo Mantica, expressed support for Prime Minister Mohamed's position with regard to the Kampala agreement. Mantica stated that the Italian government believed that the accord ought to be reviewed in Parliament. He also indicated that "the prime minister has been in office five months. And [it is too] early to judge his work. But what he has done so far has been very positive. It has achieved important results. The government already seemed a miracle[...] The strength of the instability in Somalia is a constant. And the prime minister represents stability."[32]

Resignation

On June 19, 2011, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed resigned from his position as Prime Minister of Somalia. Part of the controversial Kampala Accord's conditions, the agreement would also see the mandates of the President, the Parliament Speaker and Deputies extended until August 2012, after which point new elections are to be organized. In his farewell speech, Prime Minister Mohamed indicated that he was stepping down in "the interest of the Somali people and the current situation in Somalia". He also thanked his Cabinet for its efforts in improving the security situation and the standards of governance in the country.[33]

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Mohamed's former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, was appointed as Acting Premier later the same day.[34][35] A few days later, on June 23, 2011, Ali was named permanent Prime Minister.[36]

Campaign poster showing solidarity with Farmajo.

Prime Minister Mohamed's resignation was immediately met with anger by the general public and many lawmakers. Apprehension regarding a possible resurgence of governmental corruption and lassitude, long-standing problems which Mohamed's administration had made significant strides toward eradicating, were cited as primary reasons for the consternation. According to one legislator, many policy-makers are trying to repeal the Kampala decision, as it also "subject[s] the country to trusteeship." Another MP indicated that "lawmakers are united in their opposition to the deal" and "will object [to] it until we throw it away".[37]

Observers suggested that Mohamed's resignation could offer the militants an opportunity to capitalize on the situation and set back the territorial gains made by his administration in the ongoing insurgency in southern Somalia. They also opined that firing the Premier would not resolve the long-standing power struggle between President Sharif Ahmed and Parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan, but may inadvertently exacerbate and prolong it. Additionally, political analysts suggested that the Kampala agreement presents other potential long-term issues, such as facilitating intervention and meddling by neighboring countries, with the Ugandan government's role as the final arbiter, in particular, cited as problematic.[38]

Responding to the Kampala decision, the Al-Shabaab insurgent group's head of policy and regions, Sheikh Hussein Ali Fidow, told reporters on June 22, 2011 that the accord ended in failure since it was "an example [of how] the country is managed by Uganda" and that "it is clear for the Somali people and the international community that [the] Kampala meeting [on] Somalia was aimed to coerce the Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed to step down". In addition, the spokesman suggested that Somalia's citizenry was aware of what was going on and that it did not recognize President Sharif Ahmed and the Parliament Speaker Sharif Hassan as legitimate governmental authorities. He also reiterated his group's call for Ugandan troops to withdraw from the country.[39][40]

On June 24, 2011, lawmakers reaffirmed their opposition to and intention of repealing the Kampala decision. The Chairman of the federal Information, Public Awareness, Culture and Heritage Committee, Awad Ahmed Ashareh, indicated that 165 legislators had tendered a motion in Parliament opposing the agreement, but the Speaker rebuffed it. Ashareh also stated that MPs would issue a vote of no confidence vis-a-vis the Speaker Hassan if he continued to refuse to permit debate to take place, suggesting that Hassan's refusal "contravenes the Charter and rules of procedure."[41]

Following talks with parliamentarians, President Sharif Ahmed asserted on June 28, 2011 that, on account of opposition amongst legislators to the Kampala decision, the accord would be brought before Parliament for deliberation. He also indicated that the agreement would not be implemented unless approved by lawmakers.[42]

After his resignation, Mohamed returned to the United States and his old position at the New York State Department of Transportation.[43]

Tayo

In early 2012, Mohamed and members of his former Cabinet established the Tayo ("Quality") political party, so named after the generally favorable reputation that his administration earned during its brief tenure. According to Mohamed, the party's primary agenda will revolve around delivering services to Somalia's general population and encouraging the repatriation of Somali diasporans so as to assist in the post-conflict reconstruction process. Since stepping down from office, Mohamed has reportedly been campaigning in various global destinations to amass support for his new party, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden.[44]

2012 presidential elections

In early August 2012, Mohamed presented himself as a presidential candidate in Somalia's 2012 elections. He was among the various challengers that was eliminated during the first round of voting.[45] Mohamed and the other hopefuls that were vying for the post thereafter reportedly encouraged their supporters to back Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's candidacy.[46] Mohamud went on to earn a lopsided win in the final round, defeating Sharif Ahmed 71–29% (190 votes vs. 79 votes).[45]

Graduation program

In August 2013, Mohamed served as a keynote speaker at the Fourth Annual Ohio Somali Graduation Program in Columbus, Ohio. The event brought together hundreds of students, parents, professionals and leaders to honor the state's Somali secondary and tertiary graduates. Former Minister of Education of Somalia Hassan Ali Mire was a guest speaker, with financial scholarships awarded to the most outstanding pupils.[47]

References

  1. ↑ Somalia:New Somali PM Appointed-Marehan Clan former president family
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Somalia's President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed appointed a new prime minister Thursday, replacing the previous premier with whom he had differences and who resigned last month
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Somali president appoints new PM
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 UN Special Envoy to Somalia meets TFG leaders in Mogadishu over PM rift
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Why We Need PM Farmajo of Somalia To Run For President In 2012
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Somali-American is new prime minister in Somalia
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 UB grad is named prime minister of Somalia
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 New Somali Prime Minister's "Experience" Praised by Analyst
  9. ↑ UPDATE 1-Somali president nominates Mohamed Abdullahi as PM
  10. ↑ parliament approves new premier/-/1066/1043934/-/36b2q7z/-/ Somali parliament approves new premier
  11. ↑ UN chief encourages new Somalia PM to form government
  12. ↑ African Union welcomes confirmation of new Somali prime minister
  13. ↑ Somalia Prime Minister sworn in; pledges to negotiate with rebels
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 New Somalia prime minister unveils smaller Cabinet, cutting 21 'bloated' positions, gov't says
  15. ↑ Approves Somalia’s New PM After Repeated Delays
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Somali PM unveils leaner cabinet
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Somali Premier Unveils New Cabinet
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Somali PM names new cabinet
  19. ↑ Somalia MPs endorse new cabinet
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Security Council Meeting on Somalia
  21. ↑ Somali PM: Anyone in gov't who commits corruption will be brought to justice
  22. ↑ Somali leaders agree to postpone elections by a year to fix security and political issues
  23. ↑ Somalia bars lawmakers from talks, US worried
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 More Deadly Clashes in Somalia; Bomb Kills Minister
  25. ↑ Kampala Accord: A setback for the TFG and the International Community
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 UN to sack Ambassador Mahiga, but who will replace him?
  27. ↑ Somalia prime minister says he won’t resign
  28. ↑ Death of 'Abdirahman the Canadian' investigated in Somalia
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Somalia PM says will quit only if parliament agrees
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Somali parliament must vote on PM's dismissal: cabinet
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Somali president: Mogadishu rallies funded by some politicians
  32. ↑ Italy Supports Prime Minister Farmajo’s position
  33. ↑ Somalia: PM Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo resigns
  34. ↑ Jeffrey Gettleman (June 19, 2011). "Lauded Somalian Prime Minister Resigns Under Pressure". The New York Times. 
  35. ↑ "Somali Prime Minister Unveiled His Cabinet". English.alshahid.net. Retrieved 2011-06-12. 
  36. ↑ Gettleman, Jeffrey (2011-06-23). "Somalia Names New Prime Minister". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-06-23. 
  37. ↑ Anger in Somalia after prime minister resigns
  38. ↑ Analysis: Somali power struggle could intensify as premier quits
  39. ↑ Al shabab says Kampala meeting ended failure
  40. ↑ Al Shabaab - Kampala Accord Was TFG's Failure
  41. ↑ Somalia: Return Country to Stability, New PM Urged
  42. ↑ Somali president says Kampala accord will not be conducted unless parliament approved
  43. ↑ Rey, Jay (2011-08-07). "Return 'home' surreal after Somalia sojourn". Buffalo Times. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 
  44. ↑ Former PM Farmajo Forms New Political Party
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Somalia Federal Parliament elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President". Garowe Online. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012. 
  46. ↑ Butty, James (11 September 2012). "Somali Analyst: New President Mandate to Move Forward". Voice of America. Retrieved 13 September 2012. 
  47. ↑ "Prime Minister Farmajo to Honor Somali Graduates in Ohio". Jibril Mohamed. Retrieved 21 December 2013. 
Political offices
Preceded by
Abdiwahid Elmi Gonjeh
Acting		 Prime Minister of Somalia
2010–2011 		Succeeded by
Abdiweli Mohamed Ali
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