Somalia: Somali envoy to US to replace outgoing PM-Sources

MOGADISHU, Somalia Dec 13, 2014 (Garowe Online)-The Somali Ambassador to the United States Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke is likely to replace the outgoing Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed according to insiders, Garowe Online reports.

Presidency sources say, after lengthy consultations President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud decided to name Sharmarke to the top political job.

GO was unable to independently verify the anticipated nomination but sources in the US confirmed that the potential successor of Mohamed departed Washington for Mogadishu on Saturday.

If announced, Sharmarke’s nomination will mark the second as Premier of a country on the path to recovery.

On February 13, 2009, he became interim Prime Minister, however following bitter falling out with President Sharif Sheik Ahmed, Sharmarke resigned.

A month-long political infighting came to an end after Federal Members of Parliament voted Mohamed out of office on December 6.

International Community members are said to have recommended the appointment of long-time diplomat as Prime Minister.

Who is Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke?

Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke is a Somali-Canadian diplomat, from privileged background, and is the son of former President and Prime minister, Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke who was assassinated by his bodyguard in Sool regional capital of Lasanod on October 15, 1969 during a visit to drought-stricken regions in northern Somalia.

Before taking on a diplomatic post as Somalia ambassador to the United States in 2009, Interim President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed cherry-picked Sharmarke for premiership.

Besides, He is the son of Ruqia, the daughter of renowned Islamic scholar Dahir Ali Boss. Sharmarke graduated with BA in Economics from Somali National University (SNU), and subsequently studied at Carleton University in Ottawa, earning BA in Political science and MA in Political Economics.

On September 21, 2010, Somali envoy to the US left his top political job after bitter stand-off came into being between him and President Ahmed.

In July 2014, President Mohamud named him Somalia’s first ambassador to the United States in 20 years.

In contrast to his predecessors, he will not be a novice in politics nevertheless critics say he is not a compromising politician.

GAROWE ONLINE