Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Name	Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Caption	Mohamud in 2023
Office	President of Somalia
Term start	23 May 2022
Predecessor1	Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
Vicepresident	Hussein Guled
Term start1	16 September 2012
Term end1	16 February 2017
Predecessor1	Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
Successor1	Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
Office2	Member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia
Term start2	27 December 2016
Term end2	23 May 2022
Birth date	29 November 1955
Birth place	Jalalaqsi, Hiran, Trust Territory of Somaliland
Party	Union for Peace and Development Party (2018–present)
Otherparty	Peace and Development Party (2011–2018)
Spouse	Qamar Ali
Alma mater	Somali National University, Barkatullah University
Profession	Professor, Civil society activist

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is a Somali politician, educator, and civil society activist who has served as the President of Somalia since May 2022, having previously held the office from 2012 to 2017. He is the first person to be elected to the presidency twice since the Federal Government of Somalia was formed. His tenure has been defined by efforts to combat the al-Shabaab insurgency, complete the federalization process, and navigate complex regional diplomacy involving neighbors like Ethiopia and Kenya.

Early life and education

He was born in Jalalaqsi, located in the Hiran region of the then Trust Territory of Somaliland. He pursued higher education at the Somali National University in Mogadishu, earning a bachelor's degree in technology. Following the outbreak of the Somali Civil War, he worked with various United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations on development projects. He later obtained a master's degree in technical education from Barkatullah University in Bhopal, India.

Political career

Prior to entering electoral politics, he was deeply involved in civil society work, focusing on education and reconciliation. He co-founded the Somali Institute of Management and Administration and played a key role in establishing the Peace and Development Party. His political ascent was closely tied to the Somali peace process and the roadmap established by the Transitional Federal Government and the international community, leading to the creation of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Presidency (2012–2017)

He was elected president by the Federal Parliament of Somalia in September 2012, defeating incumbent Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a vote held at the Police Academy in Mogadishu. His administration, known as "The Somali Compact," focused on rebuilding state institutions, security sector reform with support from the African Union Mission in Somalia, and fostering international partnerships. Significant challenges included persistent attacks by al-Shabaab, political tensions with regional states like Puntland, and managing relations with donors such as the European Union and the United States.

Post-presidency and return to politics

After leaving office in 2017, following the election of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, he remained active in politics. He served as a member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia and became a leading figure in the opposition, criticizing the government's handling of security and elections. He founded the Union for Peace and Development Party, which became a major coalition. He contested the delayed 2022 presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate for change and national stability.

Presidency (2022–present)

He was re-elected president in May 2022, winning a parliamentary vote held inside the heavily fortified Aden Adde International Airport compound. His second administration declared "total war" against al-Shabaab, supporting large-scale military offensives by the Somali National Army and allied clan militias. Key policies include completing the constitutional review process, mediating disputes between the federal government and member states like Somaliland, and navigating the withdrawal of ATMIS forces. His government has also dealt with a severe drought, renewed tensions with Ethiopia over the Somaliland port deal, and strengthening ties with Turkey and Egypt.

Personal life

He is married to Qamar Ali, a pediatrician and public health advocate. The couple has five children. He is known for his background as a university professor and his involvement in Islamic banking initiatives in Somalia prior to his presidency. His Hawiye clan heritage, specifically the Abgaal sub-clan, is a noted aspect of his social and political identity within Somali clan dynamics.

Category:Presidents of Somalia Category:1955 births Category:Living people