| Revision as of 12:57, 9 March 2018 editAmirahBreen (talk | contribs)7,961 edits →Early Life: added fellowship Boston University← Previous edit | Revision as of 13:30, 9 March 2018 edit undoAmirahBreen (talk | contribs)7,961 editsm →Islamic Courts Union: added detail on Ethiopian invasionNext edit → | ||
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| ==Political career== | ==Political career== | ||
| Sheikh Sharif departed for Somalia in 2000 at a time when Somalia was under the control of warlords and friends could not visit each other in Mogadishu due to clan seperation and mistrust. The legacy of the civil war was apparent everywhere in Somalia and Sheikh Sharif had ambitions of saving his country and his people, a dream which no one could imagine could come true at the time. He established Al Shuruuq Agency, a cultural and heritage institution and the Federation of Adolescents in Mogadishu which facilitated social interaction for young Somalis who had never before crossed the boundaries formed by the warlords. As a result the residents of Mogadishu began to cross the lines where friends, schoolmates, and elders can come together and express themselves in a positive way. | |||
| In his mission of restoring law and order in a ruined and failed state, Sheikh Sharif became a regional attorney of his home province, middle Shabelle, where he was elected chairman of a provincial court in Jowhar between 2001 and 2002. | |||
| ===Islamic Courts Union=== | ===Islamic Courts Union=== | ||
| {{Main|Islamic Courts Union}} | {{Main|Islamic Courts Union}} | ||
| Armed groups in the Somali capital who exploited the disintegration of the central government had been responsible for countless kidnappings and killings. The court was established through a campaign which Sheikh Ahmed led to secure the release of an abducted child. The court was successful in securing the release of the child and other abductees as well as looted vehicles. The court went on to fight the banditry of ruthless gangs and warlords which was prevalent throughout the capital. Subsequently all five Islamic courts united and Sheikh Sharif was chosen to become the chair of the newly formed Islamic Courts Union.<ref name=SOMALIAS-MODERATE-ISLAMIST-LEADER> | |||
| {{cite news|title=Somalia's Moderate Islamist Leader|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5072268.stm|date=12 June 2006|accessdate=17 January 2007|publisher=BBC}}</ref> | {{cite news|title=Somalia's Moderate Islamist Leader|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5072268.stm|date=12 June 2006|accessdate=17 January 2007|publisher=BBC}}</ref> | ||
| He was always seen as the moderate face of the ICU, a person who came from a long line of religious leaders and was elected as chairman. Somalia was already beginning to see swift political and economic changes under his first six months of leadership. Warlords and their influence were eliminated from the city with the help of the people's support which made it possible for the first time in sixteen years to re-open Mogadishu International Airport and the port. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| At the time the Transitional Federal Government which was established in Mbagathi, Nairobi in 2004, was a fragile body which was divided and weak. The Ethiopian army invaded Somalia claiming that it was trying to help the TFG and overthrew the Islamic Court Union. Sheikh Sharif was detained by Kenyan police at the border between Kenya and Somalia in January 2007. He then met with the US Ambassador to Kenya for talks concerning cooperation with the TFG. | |||
| ⚫ | After this Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed left for ] to meet with other ICU members. | ||
| <ref>{{cite news|title=Somali Islamist travels to Yemen|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6342527.stm|date=8 February 2007|accessdate=8 February 2007|publisher=BBC}}</ref> | <ref>{{cite news|title=Somali Islamist travels to Yemen|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6342527.stm|date=8 February 2007|accessdate=8 February 2007|publisher=BBC}}</ref> | ||
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,519776,00.html|title=Interview in Der Spiegel|publisher=Spiegel Online|date=27 November 2007}}</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,519776,00.html|title=Interview in Der Spiegel|publisher=Spiegel Online|date=27 November 2007}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 13:30, 9 March 2018
| Sharif Sheikh Ahmed شريف شيخ احمد | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | |
| 7th President of Somalia | |
| In office 31 January 2009 – 20 August 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Nur Hassan Hussein Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke Abdiwahid Elmi Gonjeh (Acting) Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo Abdiweli Mohamed Ali |
| Preceded by | Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed |
| Succeeded by | Hassan Sheikh Mohamud |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1964-07-25) 25 July 1964 (age 60) Mahaday, Middle Shebelle, Somalia |
| Political party | Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia |
| Alma mater | University of Kordofan |
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (Template:Lang-so, Template:Lang-ar; born 25 July 1964) is a Somali diplomat and politician. He was the 7th President of Somalia from 31 January 2009 to 20 August 2012 and successfully brought the Federal Government of Somalia through transitional status following the collapse of the previous governing administration. A civil and political activist, Sheikh Sharif is the Chairman of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia and the head of it's executive committee. He was previously the Commander in Chief of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).
Background
Early Life and Education
Born on 25 July 1964 in Mahaday a town in the southern the Middle Shabelle region where he quired the knowledge of the Islamic teachings, Arabic and the memorisation of the Qur'n s child. Sheikh Sharif is from the Hawiye clan (Abgal branch) - one of Somalia's four main clans, which dominates in the capital. He began his education at the Sheikh Sufi Institute, which was associated with Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He studied at Libyan and Sudanese universities in the mid-1980s, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Law and Islamic Shariah.Thus, his religious upbringing and education allowed him to succeed his father as the spiritual leader of the Idriseeyah sect of Sunni Islam in Somalia.
Sheikh Sharif completed his fellowship in Boston University in January 2012 where he studied the English language.
Political career
Sheikh Sharif departed for Somalia in 2000 at a time when Somalia was under the control of warlords and friends could not visit each other in Mogadishu due to clan seperation and mistrust. The legacy of the civil war was apparent everywhere in Somalia and Sheikh Sharif had ambitions of saving his country and his people, a dream which no one could imagine could come true at the time. He established Al Shuruuq Agency, a cultural and heritage institution and the Federation of Adolescents in Mogadishu which facilitated social interaction for young Somalis who had never before crossed the boundaries formed by the warlords. As a result the residents of Mogadishu began to cross the lines where friends, schoolmates, and elders can come together and express themselves in a positive way.
In his mission of restoring law and order in a ruined and failed state, Sheikh Sharif became a regional attorney of his home province, middle Shabelle, where he was elected chairman of a provincial court in Jowhar between 2001 and 2002.
Islamic Courts Union
Main article: Islamic Courts UnionArmed groups in the Somali capital who exploited the disintegration of the central government had been responsible for countless kidnappings and killings. The court was established through a campaign which Sheikh Ahmed led to secure the release of an abducted child. The court was successful in securing the release of the child and other abductees as well as looted vehicles. The court went on to fight the banditry of ruthless gangs and warlords which was prevalent throughout the capital. Subsequently all five Islamic courts united and Sheikh Sharif was chosen to become the chair of the newly formed Islamic Courts Union.
He was always seen as the moderate face of the ICU, a person who came from a long line of religious leaders and was elected as chairman. Somalia was already beginning to see swift political and economic changes under his first six months of leadership. Warlords and their influence were eliminated from the city with the help of the people's support which made it possible for the first time in sixteen years to re-open Mogadishu International Airport and the port.
At the time the Transitional Federal Government which was established in Mbagathi, Nairobi in 2004, was a fragile body which was divided and weak. The Ethiopian army invaded Somalia claiming that it was trying to help the TFG and overthrew the Islamic Court Union. Sheikh Sharif was detained by Kenyan police at the border between Kenya and Somalia in January 2007. He then met with the US Ambassador to Kenya for talks concerning cooperation with the TFG.
After this Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed left for Yemen to meet with other ICU members.
Djibouti Agreement
Sheikh Sharif's party the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia signed a peace treaty with the Transitional Federal Government on 9 June 2008 in Djibouti.
2009 presidential election
Main article: Somali presidential election, 2009After winning the vote in the early hours of 31 January 2009, Sheikh Ahmed was sworn in later in the day at the Kempinski hotel in Djibouti.President Ahmed vowed to form a broad-based government and invited all armed groups in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation to join the UN-sponsored reconciliation effort. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN's special envoy for Somalia, praised the "transparent" presidential vote. "We are finally seeing progress from the hard work by all sides to create an inclusive parliament," Ould-Abdallah said in a statement.
Stand-off
In May 2010, the Parliamentary Speaker Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe resigned after parliament voted to remove him from office due to a rift between him and the Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. Following this, President Sharif announced his dismissal of Prime Minister Sharmarke and his intention of forming a new government. This move was quickly welcomed by the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, a close associate and supporter of Sharif.
In response, Prime Minister Sharmarke told the press that Sharif did not have the authority to dismiss him, and stated that he would remain in office until parliament passed a vote of no confidence.Sharmarke added that he "met the president and informed him that I wouldn't submit a resignation because his decision is not supported by the transitional charter",
On 18 May, a top official with the African Union urged the federal leaders to settle their differences and unite to resolve the ongoing conflict. Supporters of Prime Minister Sharmarke were also reported to have gathered in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia to protest in his defense.
On 20 May, President Sharif reversed his decision to sack Prime Minister Sharmarke. The change of heart came after consulting with lawyers, who advised Sharif that the dismissal was indeed unconstitutional. Analysts for the BBC in the UK claimed that the row had severely undermined Sharif's credibility, as well as the credibility of the UN in Somalia.
Istanbul Conference on Somalia
At a conference on Somalia in Istanbul in May 2010 U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the only chance to bring stability to Somalia was to support the government of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. He specifically voiced his support for Sheikh Ahmed himself, saying that he needed to be in power and to strengthen his leadership.
Prime Minister Sharmarke's Resignation
On 14 September, it was reported that the Premier had convened with MPs and ministers at the presidential residence where Sharmarke indicated that he would welcome a resolution to the dispute, but would not step down. In a parliamentary meeting the following day, Sharif requested "changes" to the interim government; a motion calling for a vote of no confidence in the Premier was then put forward.
In response to the rift, representatives from the United Nations, the African Union and IGAD, who had already tried to serve as mediators, released a joint statement warning that the dispute was unhelpful and potentially very damaging and that those who stood to gain the most from the divisions were the extremists who were fighting to take control of the country
On 21 September 2010, in a press conference attended by members of Parliament and the Cabinet, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Somalia. Sharmarke indicated that the infighting between himself and President Sharif had become a "security vulnerability" and that he had opted instead to "save the nation" by voluntarily stepping down. With Sharmarke's resignation, a new Cabinet is expected to be named by the next Premier.
Sheikh Sharif Appointed Farmajo as Prime Minister
On 14 October 2010, President Sharif appointed former First Secretary of the Somali embassy in Washington, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmajo", as the new Prime Minister of Somalia.
On 31 October 2010, the vote of confidence was held, with lawmakers overwhelmingly approving Farmajo's appointment as Prime Minister. Out of the 392 Members of Parliament, 297 endorsed the selection via hand-raising; 92 MPs voted against and 3 abstained.United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also issued a statement commending the Somali leadership for having reached a consensus on procedural arrangements that facilitated a transparent and consultative confirmation of the new Premier.
Somalia bars lawmakers from travelling
In May 2011 the United States voiced concerns about Somalia’s decision to temporarily block 48 lawmakers from travelling abroad. The political row had pitted President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed against speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Somalia’s second most powerful politician who was reported to harbor presidential ambitions of his own.
Kampala Accord
Main article: Kampala accordThe Kampala Accord was an agreement made in Kampala, Uganda in line with the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic to bring and end to the transitional phase of the Transitional Federal Government on 20 August 2011. It was signed on 9th June 2011 by HE Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government, Hon Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Replublic of Uganda and Dr Augustine Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Operation Linda Nchi
In October 2011, a coordinated operation between the Somali military and the Kenyan military referred to as Linda Nchi began, with Kenyan troops crossing the border into southern Somalia in pursuit of Al-Shabaab militants that are alleged to have kidnapped several foreign tourists and workers inside Kenya. President Sharif along with Prime Minister Ali initially opposed the deployment of Kenyan troops into the country, as they felt it was a breach of an earlier joint defence pact reached with the Kenyan government that limited Kenya's supporting role to logistical activities. On 31 October, a Somali delegation met in Nairobi with the Kenyan Premier Raila Odinga and other government officials to iron out differences and to outline a joint strategy vis-a-vis Operation Linda Nchi. After lengthy talks, the delegations issued a joint communique pledging coordinated military, political and diplomatic support for the mission, requesting that AMISOM peacekeepers police areas captured from Al-Shabaab, and that the International Criminal Court (ICC) begin formal investigations against the group's commanders. The two delegations also formed a joint "high-level co-ordinating committee" to maintain regular contacts between their respective governments.
In early June 2012, Kenyan forces were formally integrated into AMISOM. Analysts expect the additional AU troop reinforcements to help the Somali authorities gradually expand their territorial control.
Post-transition
In February 2012, Sharif Ahmed and other Somali government officials met in the northeastern town of Garowe to discuss post-transition political arrangements. After extensive deliberations attended by regional actors and international observers, the conference ended in a signed agreement between the President, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Speaker of Parliament Sharif Adan Sharif Hassan, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alim and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama'a representative Khalif Abdulkadir Noor stipulating that: a) a new 225 member bicameral parliament would be formed, with a lower house and an upper house seating 54 senators; b) 30% of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is earmarked for women; c) the President is to be appointed via a constitutional election; and d) the Prime Minister is selected by the President and he/she then names his/her Cabinet. On 23 June 2012, the Somali federal and regional leaders met again and approved a draft constitution after several days of deliberation. The National Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly passed the new constitution on 1 August, with 96% voting for it, 2% against it, and 2% abstaining.
On 28 June 2012, President Sharif Ahmed signed a cooperation deal in Dubai with Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo, President of the separatist Somaliland region in northwestern Somalia. Referred to as the Dubai Charter, the agreement calls for greater coordination between Somalia's various political units and is part of broader international reconciliation efforts among all Somali parties. The presidents of the autonomous Puntland and Galmudug regions as well as the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also attended the signing.
2012-2016 presidential elections
In August 2012, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed presented himself as a candidate for re-election in the year's national presidential elections. On 20 August, Sheikh Ahmed's term as President of Somalia officially ended, concurrent with the conclusion of the Transitional Federal Government's mandate and the start of the Federal Government of Somalia. He was succeeded in office by General Muse Hassan Sheikh Sayid Abdulle, who had been serving in an interim capacity.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was among the top four presidential candidates who made it to the second round of voting. Two of the four finalists subsequently dropped out, leaving Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to contest the presidency with the eventual winner, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
2016-2020 presidential election
Main article: Somali presidential election, 2017In the 2017 presidential election, Formajo, who Sheikh Sharif had instated as Prime Minister when Sharmarke eventually agreed to resign, became the new President of Somalia.
References
- "Profile: Somalia's President Ahmed". BBC News. 3 February 2009.
- "Somalia's Moderate Islamist Leader". BBC. 12 June 2006. Retrieved 17 January 2007.
- "Somali Islamist travels to Yemen". BBC. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
- "Interview in Der Spiegel". Spiegel Online. 27 November 2007.
- "Djibouti Agreement". United Nations Political Office for Somalia. 11 September 2009.
- "Somalia swears in new president", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 31 January 2009.
- "New Somali president sworn in", Al Jazeera, 1 February, 2009
- Somalia: UN Special Representative undermines TFG charter. Horseedmedia (18 May 2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Somalia stand-off as PM defies president's sacking order. BBC News (18 May 2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Somali prime minister refuses to leave office. Ynetnews.com (20 June 1995). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- AU Urges Unity Among Somali Leaders. voanews.com (17 May 2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Gulf of Aden Security Review – 19 May 2010. Critical Threats Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- President reinstates prime minister of Somalia. BBC News (20 May 2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- "UN's Ban calls Somali government chance for stability", Reuters, 23 May 2010
- ^ Rift threatens Somali government. Al Jazeera. Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Mohamed Ola Hassan (2010-08-10) Somalia's prime minister resigns amid tensions. Associated Press
- Somali president appoints new PM. Al Jazeera. Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Somali parliament approves new prime minister. Reuters (31 October 2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- UN chief encourages new Somalia PM to form government. People Daily (2010). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Somalia bars lawmakers from talks, U.S. worried. Reuters (10 May 2011). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- "Kampala Accord". United Nations. 9 June 2011.
- Noor Ali (2011-10-16). Kenyan ramps up security at Somali border, eyes al Shabaab. Reuters. Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- "Kenyan troops pursue al-Shabab into Somalia in Operation Linda Nchi". Al Jazeera English. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- Somali President wants Kenya troops out. Africa Review. Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Somalia government supports Kenyan forces' mission Archived 14 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Standard Media (31 October 2011). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Somalia vow to clear Al Shabaab Kenya, Somalia vow to clear Al Shabaab. Standard Media (1 November 2011). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- "Kenya: Defense Minister appointed as acting Internal Security Minister". Garowe Online. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Kenya agrees to join AMISOM". China Daily. 7 December 2011.
- Somalia: Garowe conference comes to a close Archived 12 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Garoweonline.com (19 February 2012). Retrieved on 22 August 2012.
- Second Garowe Conference Concludes Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Somalia Report (18 February 2012). Retrieved on 2 August 2012.
- "Somali Leaders Adopt Draft Constitution". ANP/AFP. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- "Somalia adopts a constitution, amidst insecurity". Garowe Online. 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Mogadishu, Somaliland sign cooperation deal: report". AFP. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- "Office of the Somali Parliament". Office of the Somali Parliament. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- "Somali lawmakers elect Mohamud as next president". Reuters. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byAdan Mohamed Nuur Madobe Acting |
President of Somalia 2009–2012 |
Succeeded byMusa Hassan Abdulle Acting |
 Presidents of Somalia (list) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Somali Republic (1960–1969) |  | |
| Somali Democratic Republic (1969–1991) | ||
| Interim Government of Somalia (1991–1997) | ||
| Transitional National Government of Somalia (2000–2004) | ||
| Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (2004–2012) | ||
| Federal Republic of Somalia (since 2012) | ||
| ||
| Leaders of Arab League member states | ||
|---|---|---|
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