Background
Adan was born around 1959 in Somalia.
Adan was born around 1959 in Somalia.
In the 2000s, he also served as a Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security in the former Transitional Federal Government. He relocated with his family to Ottawa, Canada during the 1980s, just prior to the start of the civil war in his country of birth. Adan thereafter worked in social services for Ottawa–Carleton.
He decided to return to Somalia along with Mohamed Elmi and Ali Iman Sharmarke to found the media company in 1999.
On December 12, 1999, Ahmed Abdisalam Adan, Mohamed Elmi, and Ali Iman Sharmarke officially opened Media Incorporated. in Mogadishu, Somalia. Adan was managing partner and director of programs for through 2007.
An independent broadcast company, produced and maintained a website, two radio stations, and television station. provided news and aired talk shows for Somalians as an alternative to propaganda delivered by media outlets owned by local faction leaders. broadcast content such as British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network programs, as well as call-in shows that enabled people to express their views on topics of peace, religion, culture, health, women"s issues, education, and economy. The broadcasters also aired interviews with faction leaders.
Adan and his partners" work to support free speech and air important local issues earned the ire of Islamist extremists and faction leaders, who sought to maintain control of the capital.
As a result, and its employees and operators endured violent attacks and attempts to hush their broadcasts. Adan vowed to continue despite the threats and violence. Adan served as the minister for information for the Transitional Federal Government in 2008.
After serving as the TFG"s minister for information, he acted as a deputy prime minister between 2008 and 2009.
According to the WikiLeaks cache of cables, the United States. approved of Adan"s presence as a deputy prime minister. Adan continued to be active in Somalian politics and the peace process after serving his posts.
In May 2012, Adan was injured in a suicide bombing attack while on a peace mission in Dhusamareb. Two officials in his delegation died and five other people were killed.
Adan sustained some injuries, but later recovered.