Abdi Farah Shirdon is a Somali politician, economist, and businessman who has served as the prime minister of Somalia between 2012 and 2013. He is fondly remembered for his significant impact in national budget and development in social services, as well as beefing up local security.
Background
Abdi Farah Shirdon was born in 1958 at Dhusamareb, a town located in the central Galguduud region of Somalia. He is from the Marehan Darod clan, and he comes from a middle-class background. Farah is multilingual, speaking English, Italian, and his native Somali
Education
In 2017 he was accepted to study Masters in Diplomatic Studies from the University in Oxford, where he currently resides. After completing his early education, Abdi Farah moved to Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia to attend college. Thereafter, he proceeded to Somali National University where he studied economics, graduating with a bachelor's degree with honors in 1983.
Before going into politics, Shirdon had a stint as an economist in the National ministry of Agriculture and ministry of Finance between 1983 and 1985, when Siad Barre was the head of the Country. Subsequently, he forsook his government work to pursue a career in entrepreneurship. He set up a company known as Shirdon International, where he served as the CEO.
Due to the civil war that ensued in Somalia in 1991, Farah was forced to relocate to Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. There, he established yet another business firm that deals on import and export.
His political career started on the 6th of October 2012, when he was appointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to serve the new Prime Minister of Somalia. The position was formerly held by Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. According to reports, Shirdon was chosen to oversee that position due in part to his academic background.
On 17 October 2012, the Federal Parliament approved Shirdon as Prime Minister by a large majority, with 215 of 275 legislators endorsing legislators endorsing his nomination. UN Special Representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga welcomed the development, describing it as "further incontrovertible evidence of progress in Somalia". Mahiga also pledged to collaborate with the new Somali government in the post-conflict reconstruction process.
In March 2012, Shirdon was also named Chairman of the Rajo Forum, a Somali civil society institution he co-founded composed of professionals, intellectuals, businesspeople and politicians.
Achievements
Works
Cabinet Nomination
Mr Shirdon has appointed a 10-member cabinet ministers, including a woman as the first female foreign minister of the horn of Africa country. One of the smallest cabinet number in the world.
2013
Civil Aviation Law
The law is part of an enomous initiative by the federal authorities to re-assume control of Somalia's airspace. According to Abdullahi Ilmoge Hirsi, Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, the purpose of the law is to develop national aviation skills. It is also expected to foster economic growth and facilitate the creation of employment opportunities.
(The law is part of an enomous initiative by the federal a...)
2013
Reopening of the National University
While serving as the prime minister of Somalia, Shirdon's cabinet approved the plan to reopen the Somali National University which had shut down since early 1990s. The University had historically served as an expansive institution of higher learning, with 13 departments, 700 staff and over 15,000 students.
(While serving as the prime minister of Somalia, Shirdon's...)
2013
Signing of Foreign investment law
On the 10th of June 2013, Shirdon signed the Foreign investment law that establishes a secure legal framework for foreign investment.
2013
Religion
He is a staunch Muslim who believes strongly in the ethics of Islamic faith.
Politics
His political views are seen from the reforms he made while serving as the Prime Minister. Shirdon launched an Independent Task Force on Human Rights in order to firm up on the protection of individual rights. The 13-member committee of volunteers was formed after extensive consultations with civil society groups and the Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari. Chaired by prominent human rights attorney Maryam Yusuf Sheikh Ali, one of four women on the panel, the Task Force includes an educator, a peace activist, leaders of Somali women's organizations, senior police officers, a humanitarian campaigner, a religious leader, and a media representative. It is tasked with investigating allegations of human rights abuses and journalist intimidation. At the end of its three-month mandate, the committee is scheduled to publish a report on its findinges of action. The Task Force will eventually give way to a permanent parliamentary Human Rights Commission, which will have the capacity to investigate allegations over a longer period
Views
Quotations:
“The first steps towards rebuilding our national health service have begun, the Essential Package of Health Services and Joint Health and Nutrition Program… are providing basic health services in several regions of Somalia.”
Personality
Physical Characteristics:
His skin color is light brown, and he is tall.