Abdullahi Issa
Encyclopedia
Abdullahi Issa Mohamud (1922-1988) was the first Prime Minister of Somalia
from February 29, 1956 to July 1, 1960.
Hawiye
family. When the Second World War
broke out, he was still a student. As a boy, he attended a local Qur'anic school (madrassah), and later studied at an Italian government institution.
After the turmoil of the war years, Issa joined the Somali Youth League
(SYL) at its onset. He typified the Somali political elite of the period, as he was "young (age 38), intelligent, largely self-educated, confident, and determined". He soon became one of the leaders of the SYL, and was eventually appointed the party's Secretary-General.
Issa later went to Paris
and New York
as an SYL delegate to proclaim the right of the Somali people
to independence. After being appointed to office as an SYL deputy in the political elections of 1956, he was called in the same year to form Somalia's first government, thus becoming the nation's first Prime Minister.
Re-elected in 1959, he was re-confirmed as Premier, and held for some time also the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Grace and justice. In the government formed after Somalia's independence in July 1960, Mohamud was later appointed Foreign Minister. In this capacity, he took part in many international conventions, in particular the United Nations General Assembly
and the conferences in Addis Abeba, among other cities. Following the general election of March 1964, he returned to the National assembly as an SYL deputy for Beledweyne
.
A career politician, Mohamud died in 1988 at the age of 66.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
from February 29, 1956 to July 1, 1960.
Biography
Issa was born in Somalia in 1922 to a Habar GidirHabar Gidir
The Habar Gidir are a Somali clan, part of the larger Hawiye group.The clan has produced some prominent Somali figures, such as Abdullahi Issa, the chairman of the Somali Youth League and first Prime Minister of Somalia prior to independence, Dr...
Hawiye
Hawiye
The Hawiye is a Somali clan. Members of the clan primarily live in central and southern Somalia, in the Ogaden and the North Eastern Province , and in smaller numbers in other countries. Like many Somalis, Hawiye members trace their ancestry to Irir Samaale...
family. When the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out, he was still a student. As a boy, he attended a local Qur'anic school (madrassah), and later studied at an Italian government institution.
After the turmoil of the war years, Issa joined the Somali Youth League
Somali Youth League
The Somali Youth League was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.-History:...
(SYL) at its onset. He typified the Somali political elite of the period, as he was "young (age 38), intelligent, largely self-educated, confident, and determined". He soon became one of the leaders of the SYL, and was eventually appointed the party's Secretary-General.
Issa later went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
as an SYL delegate to proclaim the right of the Somali people
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
to independence. After being appointed to office as an SYL deputy in the political elections of 1956, he was called in the same year to form Somalia's first government, thus becoming the nation's first Prime Minister.
Re-elected in 1959, he was re-confirmed as Premier, and held for some time also the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Grace and justice. In the government formed after Somalia's independence in July 1960, Mohamud was later appointed Foreign Minister. In this capacity, he took part in many international conventions, in particular the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
and the conferences in Addis Abeba, among other cities. Following the general election of March 1964, he returned to the National assembly as an SYL deputy for Beledweyne
Beledweyne
Beledweyne is a city in central Somalia. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river near the Ogaden, some 206 miles north of Mogadishu, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west...
.
A career politician, Mohamud died in 1988 at the age of 66.