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Sharif Sheikh Ahmed

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This article is about a person whose name includes a patronymic. The article properly refers to the person by their given name, Sharif, and not as Sheikh Ahmed.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (Somali: Shariif Sheekh Axmed, Arabic: شريف شيخ أحمد; born 25 July 1965) is a Somali politician who served as the 7th President of Somalia from 2009 to 2012. Before his presidency, he led the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) from 2004 to 2007, a coalition of Sharia courts aiming to restore law and order in Somalia.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
شيخ شريف شيخ أحمد
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in 2021
7th President of Somalia
In office
31 January 2009 – 20 August 2012
Prime MinisterOmar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo
Abdiweli Mohamed Ali
Preceded byAbdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Succeeded byHassan Sheikh Mohamud
Head of Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
In office
2007–2009
Chairman of Islamic Courts Union Executive Council
In office
26 June 2006 – 27 December 2006
Personal details
BornJuly 25 1965=age 59
Mahaday, Somali Republic
Political partyHimilo Qaran
Alma materUniversity of Kordofan

In 2004, Sharif became the head of the ICU. By mid-2006, the organization had wrested control of Mogadishu from warlords and expanded territorial control across much of Somalia. This rapid rise prompted a full-scale Ethiopian invasion in late 2006, leading to the ICU's governing body to collapse. In the ensuing military occupation and Islamist insurgency, Sharif assumed leadership of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS). Following Ethiopia’s troop withdrawal in January 2009, Sharif was elected President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

Sharif’s TFG administration faced fierce opposition from militant groups like Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, which demanded the withdrawal of African Union troops that had been deployed following the invasion and the full implementation of Sharia law. In early 2009, his government nearly fell to an insurgent offensive in Mogadishu.[1] However, by 2011, his administration—with African Union support—managed to drive Al-Shabaab out of the capital.[2] Despite these gains, Somalia under Sharif's leadership continued to rank as a failed state, struggling with limited popular support and widespread governance challenges.[3][4] By the end of his term, the TFG transitioned into the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). In the 2012 presidential election, Sharif was defeated by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

After his presidency, Sharif founded the Islamic democratic Himilo Qaran political party and later established the Forum for National Parties. He also serves as chairperson of the Council of Presidential Candidates of Somalia.

Early life and career

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Education

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Born on 25 July 1965 in Mahaday, Somalia a town in the south of the Middle Shabelle region where he studied Islam, Arabic language and memorized the Qur'an as a child. He began his education at the Sheikh Sufi Institute, which was associated with Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He studied at Libyan and Sudanese universities in the mid-1990s, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Law and Islamic Shariah.[5]

Law career

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Main article: Islamic Courts Union

Sharif departed for Somalia in 2000 at a time when Somalia was under the control of warlords and friends could not visit each other in Mogadishu due to clan separation and mistrust. The legacy of the civil war was apparent everywhere in Somalia and Sharif had ambitions of saving his country and his people. He established Al Shuruuq Agency, a cultural and heritage institution and the Federation of Adolescents in Mogadishu which facilitated social interaction for young Somalis who had never before crossed the boundaries formed by the warlords. As a result, the residents of Mogadishu began to cross the lines where friends, schoolmates, and elders can come together and express themselves in a positive way. Sharif became a regional attorney of his home province, middle Shabelle, where he was elected chairman of a provincial court in Jowhar between 2001 and 2002.[5]

Armed groups in the Somali capital who exploited the disintegration of the central government had been responsible for countless kidnappings and killings. The court was established through a campaign which Sharif led to secure the release of an abducted child. The court was successful in securing the release of the child and other abductees as well as looted vehicles. The court went on to suppress the violence of gangs and warlords which was prevalent throughout the capital. Subsequently, all five Islamic courts united and Sharif, who had always been seen as the moderate face of the Islamic Courts Union, was elected to become the chair.[6]

Somalia was already beginning to see swift political and economic changes under his first six months of leadership. Warlords and their influence were eliminated from the city with the help of the people's support which made it possible for the first time in sixteen years to reopen Mogadishu International Airport and Mogadishu Port.[7] Top UN officials have referred to this period as a 'Golden era' in the history of Somali politics. [8][9]

At the time the Transitional Federal Government which was established in Mbagathi, Nairobi in 2004, was a fragile body which was divided and weak. The Ethiopian army invaded Somalia claiming that it was trying to help the Transitional Federal Government and overthrew the Islamic Court Union. Sharif met with the US Ambassador to Kenya for talks concerning cooperation with the Transitional Federal Government, after which he left for Yemen to meet with other former Islamic Courts Union members.[10][11]

Pre-presidential political career

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See also: Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia

As an exiled opposition leader Sharif, the former leader of the Islamic Courts Union, was in search of a headquarters for establishing a new political party, the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia. In September 2007 nearly 500 delegates gathered in Asmara, Eritrea, including Islamists, parliamentarians, civil society and the diaspora and adopted a constitution. Sharif's party the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia signed a peace treaty with the Transitional Federal Government on 9 June 2008 in Djibouti called the Djibouti Agreement.[12]

President of Somalia

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The Sharif administration successfully brought the Federal Government of Somalia through transitional status following the collapse of the previous governing administration in 1991.

His administration is credited with developing Somalia's constitution and setting up key institutions such as the police, the military and the judiciary.[13][14] He established the Somali National Army, opened the main sea port of Mogadishu and relaunched the central bank.[15]

Under Sharif's leadership, the Transitional Federal Government succeeded in driving out Al Shabaab from the capital city and its surroundings, establishing security, peace and reconciliation through the difficult transitional period.[16]

Presidential Election 2009

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Main article: 2009 Somali presidential election

After winning the vote in the early hours of 31 January 2009, President Sharif was sworn in later in the day at the Kempinski hotel in Djibouti.[17] Sharif vowed to form a broad-based government and invited all armed groups in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation to join the UN-sponsored reconciliation effort. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN's special envoy for Somalia, praised the "transparent" presidential vote. "We are finally seeing progress from the hard work by all sides to create an inclusive parliament," Ould-Abdallah said in a statement.[18]

Arab League summit

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In March 2009, Sharif attended the Arab summit in Bagdad to get support for his fight against Al-Shabaab, and establishment of security, peace and reconciliation.[19]

Press conference with Hillary Clinton

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On 6 August 2009, Sharif and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton held a joint press conference in Nairobi, Kenya discussing the challenges facing Somalia, and the possibility of achieving peace, stability and reconciliation for the Somalis.[20]

Center for Strategic and International Studies

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On 30 September 2009, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (C.S.I.S.) in Washington hosted a statesman's forum with Sharif on Somalia promoting peace through international engagement.[21]

Speech at United Nations headquarters in New York

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On 10 October 2009, Sharif presented a speech at the General Debate of the 64th Session of the General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York on promoting peace, security, reconciliation and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.[22]

2010 Istanbul Conference on Somalia

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In May 2010, at the Istanbul Conference on Somalia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the only chance to bring stability to Somalia was to support the government of Sharif. He specifically voiced his support for Sharif himself, saying that he needed to be in power and to strengthen his leadership.[23]

Speech at the United Nations

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On 25 September 2010, Sharif's speech at the United Nations was about promoting regional stability, security and reconstruction in Somalia.[24]

Appointment of Prime Minister

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Sharif appointed former First Secretary of the Somali embassy in Washington, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, as the new Prime Minister of Somalia in October 2010 after the resignation of Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.[25] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement commending the Somali leadership for having reached a consensus on procedural arrangements that facilitated a transparent and consultative confirmation of the new Premier.[26]

Al Shabaab withdrawal from Mogadishu

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Sharif in 2011

On 6 August 2011, Sharif announced that his military had defeated Islamist rebels battling to overthrow his Western-backed government after Al Shabaab began withdrawing fighters from the capital Mogadishu.[27]

Kampala Accord

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Main article: Kampala accord

The Kampala Accord was an agreement made in Kampala, Uganda in line with the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic to bring and end to the transitional phase of the Transitional Federal Government on 20 August 2011. It was signed on 9 June 2011 by HE Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government, Hon Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Augustine Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations.[28]

AMISOM visit

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In September 2011, Sharif visited Burundian peacekeepers serving in his country in a show of support for African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). "I came to pay a visit to the AMISOM peacekeepers and the Somali soldiers," the president told reporters before heading back to Villa Somalia after meetings ended. "The intention was to find out how the soldiers are doing and how ready they are to help the Somali people and the government. As you can see they are really prepared and have high spirits to end the problems affecting the Somali people. The two forces have a good working relationship, and we hope their partnership will result in a victory for our country and removal of the enemy."[29]

Operation Linda Nchi

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Main article: Operation Linda Nchi

Operation Linda Nchi ("Protect the country"; Swahili: Linda Nchi) is the codename for a co-ordinated military operation between the Kenyan military and the Somali military that began on 16 October 2011, when troops from Kenya crossed the border into the conflict zones of southern Somalia.

Kampala Talks

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In November 2011, Sharif met with Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to discuss security in Somalia and in the eastern Africa region. Sharif was accompanied by a number of ministers and legislators.[30]

Garowe Conference

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In February 2012, Sharif and other Somali government officials met in the northeastern town of Garowe to discuss post-transition political arrangements. After extensive deliberations attended by regional actors and international observers, the conference ended in a signed agreement between the President, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alin and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a representative Khalif Abdulkadir Noor stipulating that: a) a new 225 member bicameral parliament would be formed, with a lower house and an upper house seating 54 senators; b) 30% of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is earmarked for women; c) the President is to be appointed via a constitutional election; and d) the Prime Minister is selected by the President and he/she then names his/her Cabinet.[31][32]

London Conference on Somalia

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Sharif spoke at the London Conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012. Sharif said: "To all of you who have exerted every effort so that you could put an end to the suffering of the Somali people, we would like to say that we appreciate this wonderful effort." US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and representatives from over 40 governments attended the London Conference on Somalia, to discuss the rebuilding of Somalia and the tackling of piracy, terrorism and famine. [33]

2012 Istanbul Conference on Somalia

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On 1 June 2012, Sharif and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended the Istanbul Conference on Somalia to promote global reconstruction efforts and to back up on going stabilisation efforts.[34]

New constitution

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Sharif in Balad, Somalia in 2012

On 23 June 2012, the Somali Federal Government and regional leaders met again and approved a draft constitution after several days of deliberation. The National Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly passed the new constitution on 1 August, with 96% voting for it, 2% against it, and 2% abstaining.[35]

Dubai Charter

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The second UAE counter piracy conference was held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 27–28 June. It was attended by more than 400 delegates including Foreign Ministers, the United Nations' International Maritime Organisation, industry leaders, welfare organisations and academic experts. The Conference Keynote Address was given by Sharif from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The event concluded with a strong call for a "comprehensive approach" against pirates that includes national governments, international organisations and the global maritime industry.

On 28 June 2012, Sharif signed a cooperation deal with Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo, President of the separatist Somaliland region in northwestern Somalia. Referred to as the Dubai Charter, the agreement calls for greater coordination between Somalia's various political units and is part of broader international reconciliation efforts among all Somali parties. The presidents of the autonomous Puntland and Galmudug regions as well as the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also attended the signing.[36]

2012 Presidential Elections

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Main article: 2012 Somali presidential election

Sharif's participation in the presidential contest and his acceptance of the results of his defeat was a demonstration of democracy coming to Somalia. He was widely praised for the peaceful handover of power. It was the first such transfer witnessed in Somalia in four decades.[37]

Post-presidency (2012–present)

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Sharif has been called 'The Father of Modern Somalia' due to his achievements during his presidential term.[38][39]

2017 presidential elections

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Sharif (right) and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (left), flanking Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed at Mohamed's inauguration as president in 2017
Main article: 2017 Somali presidential election

In the 2017 presidential election, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who Sharif had earlier instated as Prime Minister, succeeded Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President of Somalia.[40] In the second and final round of parliamentary votes, Sharif received 45 votes to Mohamed's 185.[41]

Himilo Qaran

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Main article: Himilo Qaran

Sharif founded the Himilo Qaran party in December 2018 ahead of the 2020 elections.[42] In 2019 Himilo Qaran joined the Forum for National Parties an alliance of Somali political parties.[43] In October 2019 Himilo Qaran joined the alliance of Somali political parties, the Forum for National Parties.[citation needed]

Forum for National Parties

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Main article: Forum for National Parties
 
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed holding a video conference with the Forum for National Parties

In September 2019 Sharif founded the Forum for National Parties an alliance of six political parties including his own party Himilo Qaran and the UPD which is the party of his successor Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The FNP alliance has united the leadership of the country to work together toward resolving Somalia's political and security issues.[44]

Since it was formed, the FNP has campaigned on various issues which include humanitarian aid, dialogue with FGS, and the Somali election model.

Council of Presidential Candidates

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Main article: Council of Presidential Candidates in Somalia

In November 2020 Sharif was elected as chairman of the Council of Presidential Candidates, which has been active in holding the Somali government to account on the procedures concerning of the upcoming elections.[45] The CPC has worked on resolving issues such as security issues and the election impasse in the 2021 elections.

2022 presidential elections

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Sharif in 2021
Main article: 2022 Somali presidential election

In January 2019 Sharif announced his intention to stand for the 2021 presidential election on the ticket of his political party Himilo Qaran, citing the "inability of the current leadership to restore peace and security" against al-Shabaab militants who still control large rural regions of the country.[46][47] As a group of 14 presidential candidates met in Mogadishu for a six day conference in November 2020 the Council of Presidential Candidates was formed and Sharif was nominated as chairman.[45]

On 15 May 2022, Sharif received 39 of 328 parliamentary votes cast in the first round of voting, placing him in fifth place and not proceeding to the second round.[48] Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was the winner.[49]

Awards and honours

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Fellowship, Boston University

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Sharif is beneficiary of the former-Presidents-In-Residence fellowship initiated by Boston University in Massachusetts, USA. The scholarship is administered by the African Presidential Archives and Research Center (APARC). It hosts programs including debates on public policy to extend knowledge of the complexities and resources in Africa.[50]

References

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  1. ^ "Somalia: The Disintegration of Hizbul Islam?". Stratfor. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Somalia's al-Shabab rebels leave Mogadishu". BBC News. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Somalia: Failed State and Failing Responses". ISS Africa. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Missed opportunities in Somalia". The New Humanitarian. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Profile: Somalia's President Ahmed". BBC News. 3 February 2009.
  6. ^ "Somalia's Moderate Islamist Leader". BBC. 12 June 2006. Retrieved 17 January 2007.
  7. ^ "Mogadishu International Airport Reopens After 11 Years". All Africa. 14 July 2006.
  8. ^ "Somalia Mourns a 'Golden Era' as Crisis Worsens | Africa Faith and Justice Network". afjn.org. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  9. ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey (20 November 2007). "As Somali Crisis Swells, Experts See a Void in Aid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Somali Islamist travels to Yemen". BBC. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  11. ^ "Interview in Der Spiegel". Spiegel Online. 27 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007.
  12. ^ "Djibouti Agreement". United Nations Political Office for Somalia. 11 September 2009.
  13. ^ "Situation Report" (PDF). Institute for Security Studies. 23 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Constitutional History of Somali". Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. 31 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Somalia: Election - Old Rivals Unite to Fight Farmaajo". All Africa. 6 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. 31 August 2011.
  17. ^ "Somalia swears in new president", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 31 January 2009.
  18. ^ "New Somali president sworn in", Al Jazeera, 1 February 2009
  19. ^ "Arab League Summit". Qatar Conferences. 30 March 2009.
  20. ^ "Remarks With Somali Transitional Federal Government President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed". U.S. Department of State. 6 August 2009.
  21. ^ "Statesmen's Forum". Center for Strategic and International Studies. 30 September 2009.
  22. ^ "SRSG's 18th letter to the diaspora". RelierWeb. 30 September 2009.
  23. ^ "UN's Ban calls Somali government chance for stability", Reuters, 23 May 2010
  24. ^ "Speech of Somali President H.E. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the General Assembly of the United Nations" (PDF). United Nations. 25 September 2010.
  25. ^ Somali president appoints new PM. Al Jazeera. Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
  26. ^ UN chief encourages new Somalia PM to form government. People Daily (2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012. Archived 8 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "Somali government declares Islamist rebellion defeated". 6 August 2011. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018.
  28. ^ "Kampala Accord". United Nations. 9 June 2011.
  29. ^ "In Praise and Thanks – Somali President hails AMISOM forces". AMISOM. September 2011.
  30. ^ "Kampala Talks". 1 November 2011.
  31. ^ Somalia: Garowe conference comes to a close Archived 12 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Garoweonline.com (19 February 2012). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
  32. ^ Second Garowe Conference Concludes Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Somalia Report (18 February 2012). Retrieved on 2 August 2012.
  33. ^ "London conference on Somali". British Government. 23 February 2012.
  34. ^ "The Second Istanbul Conference on Somalia". Ministry of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Turkey. 1 June 2012. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  35. ^ "Somalia adopts a constitution, amidst insecurity". Garowe Online. 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  36. ^ "Mogadishu, Somaliland sign cooperation deal: report". Agence France-Presse. 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  37. ^ "Somalia Federal Parliament elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President". Garowe Online. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  38. ^ "Political Parties are the best way forward for Somalia". Garowe Online. 24 January 2019.
  39. ^ "Ex-Somalia President Sheikh Sharif sets eye on Presidency". The Standard. 23 January 2019.
  40. ^ "Former PM and dual-US citizen wins Somali presidential election". The Guardian. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  41. ^ "[Step-by-step] How Somali MPs elected new President in a fortified airport". Africanews. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Ex-Somalia President sets eye on the presidency seat on 2020". Goobjoog News. 24 January 2019.
  43. ^ "In Somalias nascent democracy clans could still be needed". Garowe Online. 8 November 2019.
  44. ^ "Two former presidents form new political alliance". Andalou Agency. 1 October 2019.
  45. ^ a b "Former President picked as chair of presidential candidates union in Somalia". Garowe. 26 November 2020.
  46. ^ "Ex-Somalia President sets eye on the presidency seat on 2020". Goobjoog News. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  47. ^ "Ex-Somali President sets eye on Presidency". 23 January 2019.
  48. ^ "Somalia election: 32 candidates edged out, four proceed to second round". The East African. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  49. ^ "Somalia elects new president after long overdue elections". www.aljazeera.com. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  50. ^ "Former Somali president wins prestigious Boston fellowship". Africa Review. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
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Political offices
Preceded by President of Somalia
2009–2012 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
New office Leader of Himilo Qaran political party
2018–present 		Incumbent


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