Ali Mohammed Ghedi
Encyclopedia
Ali Mohamed Ghedi (born 1951) was the Prime Minister
of the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) of Somalia
from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal
subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye
clan, one of Somalia's four most powerful clan 'families'
. He narrowly survived a suicide attack on his home that left at least seven people dead on June 3, 2007.
under the reign of Siad Barre
. As a university student Ghedi was brilliant in his studies and he went to Italy for his further studies to the University of Pisa. Gedi even though many would say he wasn't in the political scene, others agree that he was involved somewhat in political conferences in Somalia e.g. the one as Baladweyne, Hiraan.
Ali Mohammad Ghedi was born in Masajid Ali Gudud, Adale district, Somalia in 1951. He is from the Abgal subclan Harti Abgal and sub-sub clan Warsaageli. After his mother's divorce,his step mother Hawa R. from Ayr-haber-Gedir clan raised the young Ghedi. His father was a Colonel in the Somali National Security Service (NSS). Gedi completed military service training in the 70s. After completing secondary school at Jamal Abdul Masic Allah in Mogadishu in 1974, he went to veterinary school at the University of Mogadishu and graduated in 1978. From 1979-1981 he was in Italy at the University of Pisa on a two-year scholarship. He returned to Somali National University's Veterinary Faculty and served as assistant lecturer in 1982. He was soon appointed as its Head, and held that post until the collapse of Siad Barre's regime in 1991.
's warlords.
After a failed assassination attempt, Ghedi fled to Nairobi
, Kenya
. On July 2005, he moved to Jowhar
, one of two towns (the other being Baidoa
) being used as a temporary joint Somali capital.
In March 2006, fighting broke out between the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism
(ARPCT) warlords and the Islamic Court Union (ICU) over the control of Mogadishu, which intensified in May. The conflict became known as the Second Battle of Mogadishu
. The Prime Minister demanded the warlords, four of whom were members of the TFG government, to cease fighting the ICU, but this command was universally ignored and so Ghedi dismissed them from Parliament. These included National Security Minister Mohamed Afrah Qanyare
, Commerce Minister Musa Sudi Yalahow
, Militia Rehabilitation Minister Issa Botan Alin and Religious Affairs Minister Omar Muhamoud Finnish
.
and Ethiopian armies
, who on December 29 entered Mogadishu
relatively unopposed. Although Ghedi was jubilantly welcomed to the city, his Ethiopian allies faced angry crowds who pelted Ethiopian troops with rocks.
On January 1, 2007, he announced "The warlord era in Mogadishu is now over." Ghedi's first actions included declaring martial law
for three months, calling for the disarmament of the militias
, and the appointment of new judges
.
In early January 2008, Ghedi announced that he would run for President in 2009.
Prime Minister of Somalia
This page contains a list of the Prime Ministers of Somalia.-Prime Ministers of Somalia :-Affiliations:*SYL - Somali Youth League*SNL - Somali National League...
of the Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Parliament
The Transitional Federal Parliament of the Somali Republic is an interim Parliament of Somalia formed in neighboring Kenya in 2004.The Transitional Federal Parliament has 550 members representing Somalia's clans, Islamist opposition, representatives of citizens' groups and the Somali...
(TFG) of Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal
Abgaal
Abgaal is a Somali clan, and part of the major Hawiye clan. Its members live in the Shabeellaha Dhexe, Galguduud, Banaadir, Mudug, Lower Shebelle, Middle Juba, and Jubbada Hoose regions of Central and southern Somalia...
subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye
Hawiye
The Hawiye is a Somali clan. Members of the clan primarily live in central and southern Somalia, in the Ogaden and the North Eastern Province , and in smaller numbers in other countries. Like many Somalis, Hawiye members trace their ancestry to Irir Samaale...
clan, one of Somalia's four most powerful clan 'families'
Somali clan
The demographics of Somalia describes the condition and overview of Somalia's inhabitants. Demographic topics include basic education, health and population statistics, as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.-Somalis:...
. He narrowly survived a suicide attack on his home that left at least seven people dead on June 3, 2007.
Biography
Ghedi's father was a Colonel in the Somali National Security Service (NSS)National Security Service (Somalia)
The National Security Service was the primary intelligence service of the government of Siad Barre and the bedrock of its repressive internal security apparatus, existing from 1970 until 1990 when it was formally abolished.- Organization and structure :...
under the reign of Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
. As a university student Ghedi was brilliant in his studies and he went to Italy for his further studies to the University of Pisa. Gedi even though many would say he wasn't in the political scene, others agree that he was involved somewhat in political conferences in Somalia e.g. the one as Baladweyne, Hiraan.
Ali Mohammad Ghedi was born in Masajid Ali Gudud, Adale district, Somalia in 1951. He is from the Abgal subclan Harti Abgal and sub-sub clan Warsaageli. After his mother's divorce,his step mother Hawa R. from Ayr-haber-Gedir clan raised the young Ghedi. His father was a Colonel in the Somali National Security Service (NSS). Gedi completed military service training in the 70s. After completing secondary school at Jamal Abdul Masic Allah in Mogadishu in 1974, he went to veterinary school at the University of Mogadishu and graduated in 1978. From 1979-1981 he was in Italy at the University of Pisa on a two-year scholarship. He returned to Somali National University's Veterinary Faculty and served as assistant lecturer in 1982. He was soon appointed as its Head, and held that post until the collapse of Siad Barre's regime in 1991.
Government in Exile
As head of the TFG, Ghedi promised to form an inclusive government, and to strive for reconciliation among MogadishuMogadishu
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....
's warlords.
After a failed assassination attempt, Ghedi fled to Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. On July 2005, he moved to Jowhar
Jowhar
Jowhar is the capital town of the Shabeellaha Dhexe region of Somalia . Along with Baidoa, it used to form the joint administrative capital of the Transitional Federal Government, which captured it from the Islamic Courts Union....
, one of two towns (the other being 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....
) being used as a temporary joint Somali capital.
Government in Baidoa
Yassir Mohamed will be a new sectionIn March 2006, fighting broke out between the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism
Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism
The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism was a Somali alliance created by various warlords and businesspeople. The alliance included Botan Ise Alin, Mohammed Dheere, Mohamed Qanyare, Musa Sudi Yalahow, Nuur Daqle, Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid, Omar Muhamoud Finnish and others...
(ARPCT) warlords and the Islamic Court Union (ICU) over the control of Mogadishu, which intensified in May. The conflict became known as the Second Battle of Mogadishu
Second Battle of Mogadishu
The Second Battle of Mogadishu was a battle fought for control of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. The opposing forces were the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism , and militia loyal to the Islamic Court Union . The conflict began in mid-February, 2006, when Somali...
. The Prime Minister demanded the warlords, four of whom were members of the TFG government, to cease fighting the ICU, but this command was universally ignored and so Ghedi dismissed them from Parliament. These included National Security Minister Mohamed Afrah Qanyare
Mohamed Afrah Qanyare
Mohamed Afrah Qanyare , is a Somali politician who was based to the south of Mogadishu Dayniile neighborhoods.Somali PM one of the political Flexible activity Mohamed Qanyare Afrah- United Somali Congress :...
, Commerce Minister Musa Sudi Yalahow
Musa Sudi Yalahow
Muse Sudi Yalahow is a notorious Somali warlord who served as Trade Minister in the Transitional Government of Ali Mohammed Ghedi. He was dismissed in June 2006 after ignoring government requests to halt fighting with the Islamic Courts Union militia....
, Militia Rehabilitation Minister Issa Botan Alin and Religious Affairs Minister Omar Muhamoud Finnish
Omar Muhamoud Finnish
- United Somali Congress/Somali Salvation Alliance :He is leader of a splinter movement of the United Somali Congress/Somali Salvation Alliance , which had been initially loyal to Ali Mahdi Mohammed during the Somali Civil War...
.
Return to Mogadishu
During December 2006, the ICU and affiliated Islamist militias suffered crucial defeats by the TFGMilitary of Somalia
The Military of Somalia was, up until 1991, made up of the army, navy, air force, and air defense command. The outbreak of the Somali Civil War during that year led to the de facto dissolution of the national armed forces. However, efforts to re-establish a regular armed force by a re-constituted...
and Ethiopian armies
Military of Ethiopia
The Ethiopian National Defense Force is the military of Ethiopia. Civil direction of the military is carried out through the Ministry of Defense, which oversees the ground forces, air force, as well as the Defense Industry Sector. The current defense minister is Siraj Fergessa. . Size of the ENDF...
, who on December 29 entered Mogadishu
Fall of Mogadishu
The Fall of Mogadishu occurred on December 28, 2006, when the militaries of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopian troops entered the Somali capital unopposed...
relatively unopposed. Although Ghedi was jubilantly welcomed to the city, his Ethiopian allies faced angry crowds who pelted Ethiopian troops with rocks.
On January 1, 2007, he announced "The warlord era in Mogadishu is now over." Ghedi's first actions included declaring martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
for three months, calling for the disarmament of the militias
Disarmament in Somalia
After two decades of violence and civil war and after the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia captured Mogadishu and Kismayo, the TFG attempted to disarm the militias of the country in late 2006...
, and the appointment of new judges
Judiciary of Somalia
The Judiciary of Somalia as defined by the Transitional Federal Charter began its formative stages in early 2007 with the swearing in of the first jurists recognized by the Transitional Federal Government ....
.
Resignation
Ghedi announced his resignation before parliament in Baidoa on October 29, 2007, due to differences with Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf. It is rumoured that Ghedi accepted to resign for future political support. He remained a member of parliament.In early January 2008, Ghedi announced that he would run for President in 2009.