Mohamed Ali Yusuf Gaagaab (Somali: Maxamed Cali Yusuf; 2 January 1944 – 3 December 2024) was a Somali politician. He served as acting Vice President of Puntland from 10 October 2004 to 8 January 2005, and later he was appointed as Minister of Finance of Puntland beginning on 25 January 2005 to 8 January 2009. He was elected as Interim Speaker of the Senate of Somalia from 11 August 2021 to 26 April 2022.[1][2][3]
Mahamed Ali Yusuf | |
---|---|
Maxamed Cali Yusuf | |
2nd Vice President of Puntland | |
Acting | |
In office 10 October 2004 – 8 January 2005 | |
President | Mohamed Abdi Hashi |
Preceded by | Mohamed Abdi Hashi |
Succeeded by | Hassan Dahir Afqurac |
Puntland Minister of Finance | |
In office 25 January 2005 – 8 January 2009 | |
President | Mohamud Muse Hersi |
Vice President | Hassan Dahir Afqurac |
Preceded by | Abdirahman Farole |
Succeeded by | Farah Ali Jama |
Speaker of the Senate of Somalia | |
Interim | |
In office 11 August 2021 – 26 April 2022 | |
Preceded by | Abdi Hashi Abdullahi |
Succeeded by | Abdi Hashi Abdullahi |
Personal details | |
Born | Godobjiran, British-occupied Italian Somaliland | 2 January 1944
Died | 3 December 2024 Istanbul, Turkey | (aged 80)
Political party | Independent |
Nickname | Gaagaab |
Early life
editGaagaab was born in Godobjiran in Nugal, Somalia during World War II after British-occupied Italian Somalia on January 2, 1944.[4][1] He was from the Omar Mohamoud clan of Majeerteen, Darod.[5]
He studied his primary and secondary education in Galkayo. He graduated from Jamal Abdinashir High School in Mogadish in 1965.[4] He received a scholarship from East Germany to study law in 1965, earning a master's degree in philosophy and international law.[4]
Career
editGaagaab returned to Somalia and worked as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law of the Somali National University.[4]
He was imprisoned from 1985 for seven years under the Siad Barre regime for his party's revolutionary aims in Somalia, including founding a magazine.[4] He left Somalia in 1992 for Denmark.[4] He returned to Somalia in 1996 to join the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF).[4]
Vice President of Puntland
editAfter President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed announced his resignation on October 10, 2004, to run for the 2004 presidential election of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and former vice President Mohamed Abdi Hashi became the acting president and Gaagaab became the acting vice President as a transitional period until the next presidential election. He succeeded by Hassan Dahir Afqurac on 8 January 2005.[6]
Minister of Finance of Puntland
editGaagaab ran unsuccessfully for the 2005 presidency of Puntland.[7] later he was appointed Puntland's Minister of Finance under President Mohamud Muse Hersi.
In April 2007, a boy from a minority clan was accidentally shot and killed by troops trying to quell a demonstration. Gaagaab refused to pay compensation. However, he paid compensation to another majority clan, which was criticized as discriminatory against the minority clan.[8]
In July 2008, he visited Bosaso as the Minister of Finance. He made it clear that he would strengthen economic ties with the United Arab Emirates.[9] In August 2008, Gaagaab was criticized by opposition members for harassing them by placing soldiers near the entrance to the assembly.[10]
After his term expired on 29 January 2009, he vacated as Minister of Finance.[11] His replacement was Farah Ali Jama. [12]
Director of the Puntland Peace Center
editIn January 2010, Gaagaab chaired a conference on security in Galkayo in his capacity as Director of the Galkayo Education Center for Peace and Development (GECPD.)[13]
In November 2011, after a disagreement between the Puntland and Galmudug governments regarding security, Gaagaab called on both sides to reach a peaceful resolution.[14]
In January 2014, Gaagaab ran for the Puntland presidential elections as an opposition candidate from the Mudugu region,[15] but announced his withdrawal, leaving it to Ali Haji Warsame.[16][17] However, Ali Haji Warsame did not become president also. In August 2014, Gaagaab criticized the Federal Republic of Somalia government's decision to merge Galmudug and Himan and Heeb to create the Central Regions State as a violation of the federal system.[18]
Member of the Federal Parliament
editIn August 2021, Gaagaab became a Somali Senator representing Puntland.[19] He served on the Committee On Rules of Procedure.[20]
He served from August 11, 2021 to 26 April 26, 2022 as Interim Speaker of the Senate of Somalia.[21]
In March 2024 he opposed amendments to the Constitution of Somalia which caused the Constitutional crisis in Somalia.[22]
Death
editGaagaab died in Istanbul, Turkey on 3 December 2024, at the age of 80. He had been suffering from an age-related illness.[23]
His death was confirmed by his family, as well as colleagues in the Upper House of Parliament.[3]
Reaction
editMany leaders expressed their condolences, including Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, Vice President Ilyas Lugator and former Puntland Presidents Abdirahman Farole and Abdiweli Gaas. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed expressed gratitude for Gaagaab’s accomplishments; he posted on X, "President Gaagaab was a charismatic statesman and patriotic veteran who had contributed greatly to the building of the Somali state."[24][25]
Senior Puntland politicians and officials from the Somali federal government also shared messages of sympathy.[23]
References
edit- ^ a b "Maamul goboleedka Puntland oo sheegay in uu tallaabo ka qaadayo Maxkamad Islaami ah oo looga dhawaaqay Magaalada Gaalkacyo" [The Puntland regional government has said that it will take action against the Islamic Court that was announced in Galkayo City]. Hiiraan online. 1 November 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Somali Senator Mohamed Ali Yusuf Gaagaab Dies in Istanbul, Turkey". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Somali Senator Mohamed Ali Yusuf Gaagaab passes away in Turkey". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Waa Kuma Madaxweyne Ku-xigeenka Puntland Ee Loo Doortay Senator Aqalka Sare Ah" [Who is the Vice President of Puntland who was elected Senator of the Upper House]. GOOBJOOG. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ The Puntland Experience: A Bottom-up Approach to Peace and State Building (PDF). 2007. p. 60. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Puntland - Elections and Administrative Structure". Archived from the original on 14 February 2015.
- ^ "Jen. Cadde Muuse oo ku guuleystay Doorashadii Madaxweynenimada Puntland" [Gen. Cadde Muse won the Puntland Presidential Election]. Hiiraan online. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS / AGAINST THE SOMALI MARGINALIZED MINORITY GROUPS" (PDF). SOMRAF. 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Wasiirka Maaliyadda Puntland oo sheegay in uu wanaagsan yahay Xiriirka Dhaqaale-Siyaaso ee u dhaxeeya Puntland iyo Imaaraadka Carabta" [Puntland Finance Minister who said that the Economic-Political Relations between Puntland and the United Arab Emirates are good]. Hiiraan online. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Somalia: Finance Minister 'Hijacks' Budget Process - Puntland MPs". alAfrica. 3 August 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Diiwaanka Musharixiinta Puntland 2019: Faarax Cali-shire Jaamac (Afbalaar)" [List of Puntland Candidates 2019: Farah Ali-shire Jama (Afbalaar)]. Horseed Media. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Wasiirkii hore ee Maaliyadda Puntland iyo Wasiirka cusub ee Wasaaraddaas oo xilalkii isku wareejiyay" [The former Minister of Finance of Puntland and the new Minister of that Ministry who transferred the positions]. Hiiraan online. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Shir ku saabsan ammaanka oo ka furmay Galkacyo iyo Doon Kalluumaysi oo ku gubatay Boosaaso" [A conference on security opened in Galkayo and a fishing boat burned in Bosaso]. Hiiraan online. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Xiisad ka Dhextaagan Puntland iyo Galmudug" [Tension between Puntland and Galmudug]. VOA. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Tirada Musharraxiinta u Tartamaysa Doorashada Puntland oo sii Kordhaysa iyo Gobollada ay Murashaxiintu kasoo jeedaan" [The number of candidates running for the Puntland election is increasing and the regions where the candidates come from]. Hiiraan online. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Somalia: Opposition Candidate Relinquishes Candidacy for Puntland President". allAfrica. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Murashax Maxamed Cali Yuusuf (Gaagaab) oo tanaasulay" [Candidate Mohamed Ali Yusuf (Gagaab) who resigned]. Hiiraan online. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Dhagayso: Gaagaab oo diiday in Gobolka Mudug laga jaro Puntland" [Listen: Gaagaab refuses to cut Mudug region from Puntland]. Puntlandes. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Xubnaha Puntland ku matalaya Aqalka Sare oo la doortay" [Members representing Puntland in the Upper House have been elected]. VOA. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "XUBNAHA SENARATADA" [MEMBERS OF THE SENATE]. Golaha Aqalkasare. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Guddiyada Doorashada Guddoonadda Aqalka Hoose iyo Aqalka Sare oo la magacaabay" [Electoral Committees for the Lower House and the Upper House appointed]. Hiiraan online. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Ku dhawaad 100 Xildhibaan oo ka horyimid wax ka badalka Dastuurka" [Around 100 Members of Parliament opposed the amendment to the Constitution]. Hiiraan online. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b Qoobey, Jibril (3 December 2024). "Former Puntland Vice President and Senator Mohamed Ali Yusuf "Gaagaab" Passes Away in Istanbul, Aged 80". Idil News. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Ahmed, Sharif Sheikh (3 December 2024). "Waxa aan tacsi tiiraanyo leh u dirayaa dhammaan qoyska, ehellada, Gollayaasha dowladda iyo guud ahaan ummadda Soomaaliyeed ee uu ka baxay ALLE ha u naxariistee, Senator Maxamed Cali Yuusuf Gaagaab oo ka mid ahaa Aqalka Sare. Senator Gaagaab waxaa uu ahaa siyaasi cabqari ah iyo oday Qaran wuxuuna si weyn uga soo qeyb qaatay dowlad-dhiska Soomaaliya. Waxaan Alle u weydiinayaa in uu Jannatul Firdowso ka waraabiyo, guud ahaan Shacabka Soomaaliyeed iyo ehelkiisana samir iyo iimaan ka siiyo". Twitter. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "Somalia Mourns the Passing of Mohamed Ali Yusuf Gaagaab, Architect of the Federal Constitution". hornobserver.com. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
External links
edit- Media related to Mohamed Ali Yusuf at Wikimedia Commons