Sheikh Mukhtar Mohamed Hussein
Encyclopedia
Sheikh Mukhtar Mohamed Hussein (born 1912) was the speaker of the Somali parliament, and briefly an interim President of Somalia in 1969.
clan), in the central town of Xuddur
in the Bakool
region.
Sheikh Mukhtar studied, as was customary in those days in Somalia, the Qur'an, learning and memorizing entire chapters of the Muslim holy book. He later supplemented his studies in Islamic history, thus acquiring the title 'sheikh'.
Sheikh Mukhtar became a businessman in his early adult years, opening a store in Xuddur
and later expanding to open a larger one in Baidoa
, before he entered politics.
). He served the SYL's head office in what was then known as Upper Jubba, which included several current regions of Southwestern Somalia.
He eventually rose to be a prominent member of the League and in 1956, he was elected to what was then the first national assembly of the Somali people, the Legislative Assembly, under the trusteeship of Italy. He was among the first formed, but limited government of the then prime minister of Abdullahi Issa
. He at first served as deputy of justice minister and then as minister of justice.
Sheikh Mukhtar was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1959, just before the independence of the Somali state. He was a member of the newly reconstructed, from Legislative Assembly to Constituent Assembly, and was then re-elected in 1964. Sheikh Mukhtar was the speaker of the Somali parliament, from 1965–1969, until the coup d'état that occurred in 1969. He briefly became President the week between the assassination of President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
and the day of the coup.
Sheikh Mukhtar, along with prominent figures from the civilian government, was placed under house arrest by the new president of the republic, Mohamed Siad Barre; the first few years with severe restrictions which were later relaxed when he eventually reclaimed his freedom.
Sheikh Mukhtar retired from politics in 1969 and devoted his time to his farm Afgooye
and studying Islam. As of 2007 he was still living in Mogadishu
.
Biography
Sheikh Mukhtar was born into a Hadame family (part of the larger RahanweynRahanweyn
The Rahanweyn is a Somali clan, composed of two major sub-clans, the Digil and the Mirifle. It makes up about 17% of the population of Somalia, and is one of the five major Somali clans residing in the Horn of Africa.-Overview:The Digil sub-clan mainly consists of farmers and coastal people, while...
clan), in the central town of Xuddur
Xuddur
Hudur is a town in the southern Bakool region of Somalia. It serves as the provincial capital.-Overview:Hudur is located in southwestern Somalia...
in the Bakool
Bakool
-Overiew:It is bordered by the Ogaden and the Somalian regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo.Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhexe region, used to be a part of the old Upper Region, which was subdivided in the mid 1980s...
region.
Sheikh Mukhtar studied, as was customary in those days in Somalia, the Qur'an, learning and memorizing entire chapters of the Muslim holy book. He later supplemented his studies in Islamic history, thus acquiring the title 'sheikh'.
Sheikh Mukhtar became a businessman in his early adult years, opening a store in Xuddur
Xuddur
Hudur is a town in the southern Bakool region of Somalia. It serves as the provincial capital.-Overview:Hudur is located in southwestern Somalia...
and later expanding to open a larger one in Baidoa
Baidoa
Baidoa is a city in south-central Somalia, situated by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle clans....
, before he entered politics.
Politics
In the late 1940s, Sheikh Mukhtar joined the then burgeoning, nationalist party of the Somali Youth Club (which later changed its name to the Somali Youth LeagueSomali 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:...
). He served the SYL's head office in what was then known as Upper Jubba, which included several current regions of Southwestern Somalia.
He eventually rose to be a prominent member of the League and in 1956, he was elected to what was then the first national assembly of the Somali people, the Legislative Assembly, under the trusteeship of Italy. He was among the first formed, but limited government of the then prime minister of Abdullahi Issa
Abdullahi Issa
Abdullahi Issa Mohamud was the first Prime Minister of Somalia from February 29, 1956 to July 1, 1960.-Biography:Issa was born in Somalia in 1922 to a Habar Gidir Hawiye family. When the Second World War broke out, he was still a student...
. He at first served as deputy of justice minister and then as minister of justice.
Sheikh Mukhtar was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1959, just before the independence of the Somali state. He was a member of the newly reconstructed, from Legislative Assembly to Constituent Assembly, and was then re-elected in 1964. Sheikh Mukhtar was the speaker of the Somali parliament, from 1965–1969, until the coup d'état that occurred in 1969. He briefly became President the week between the assassination of President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President of Somalia from June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969...
and the day of the coup.
Sheikh Mukhtar, along with prominent figures from the civilian government, was placed under house arrest by the new president of the republic, Mohamed Siad Barre; the first few years with severe restrictions which were later relaxed when he eventually reclaimed his freedom.
Sheikh Mukhtar retired from politics in 1969 and devoted his time to his farm Afgooye
Afgooye
-Location:It is situated about 25 kilometres west of Mogadishu, the nation's capital. The Shabelle River passes through the middle of the town.-History:Afgooye was part of Italian Somaliland during the early part of the 20th century...
and studying Islam. As of 2007 he was still living in Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
.