Abdullahi Issa Mohamud, Somalia’s Forgotten Hero and how he managed to get Somalia its independence
A thread

Too few people of the generation born after the collapse of the central government know of the story of Somalia’s forgotten hero - one of its founding fathers & Somalia’s first Prime Minister, Abdullahi Issa. His life was an extraordinary one mostly because he was able to achieve

...Many monumental achievements all while being under the age of 40. In comparison to the political environment of today which seems to grant few opportunities to the youth, He serves as an inspirational to the youth and reminds us that while even young we can achieve greatness.

Abdullahi Issa Mohamud was born in 1922 in the southern town of Afgoye near the Somali capital, Mogadishu. He hailed from the Hawiye,Habargidir clan.

In his late teens, Issa worked as a postal clerk in Marka. Upon return to Mogadishu, he assumed a role in the Department of Economic Affairs. In the early 1940s the British military began to occupy Italian Somaliland. Relieved of his duties, and he began a career in business.

Issa joined the Somali Youth League (SYL) at its inception after years of turmoil. As characterized by the Somali political elite of his era, he was typified as “…young, intelligent, largely self-educated, confident, and determined.”

Quickly rising through the ranks, and becoming one of the party's leaders in 1948 he was appointed to the SYL’s central committee, and eventually as its Secretary-General.

Upon joining the SYL, he became part of the independence struggle. After becoming the Chairman, he was nominated to lead its foreign relations wing tasked with advocating for Somali independence on the world stage.

This saw Issa leave for the newly created United Nations organization in New York City in 1948. He lived in New York from 1948 to 1954 where he led the efforts to make the case for the independence of the Somali people at the UN Trusteeship Council.

Issa also collaborated and worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on the case for Italian Somaliland’s independence. He faced challenges from the Italian government who wanted to regain its colony.

Count Carlos Sforza, the Italian Foreign Minister, argued for Italy to regain its colony. Abdullahi Issa’s efforts culminated in his famous speech at age 27 to the UN general assembly on October 7, 1949

In which he asked for independence, and rejection of any Italian trusteeship should the trusteeship deem Somalia be placed in one. The original document can be found at this link https://credo.library.umass.edu/view/pageturn/mums312-b126-i127/#page/1/mode/1up

In the first election in 1956, Abdullahi Issa was elected the first Prime Minister of Somalia and formed the first Somalia government. Also known as ...Governo Sacad”, his duties included preparing the trusteeship to be ready for independence.

Below is an interview with Isaaq diplomat Abdullahi Adan Ahmed aka Abdullahi Congo discussing how the union between British and Italian Somalia came about in 1960. He speaks on how his Northern supporters used to sing and chant ’Long live Abdullahi Issa’ in front of the British.

Issa was reelected again in 1959 and continued his work through independence day, July 1, 1960. At age 37, Prime Minister Abdullahi Issa oversaw the handover of power to the first Somali President Aden Abdulle Osman.

Abdullahi Issa Mohamud continued his service in the newly independent country, the Somali Republic which was created from the Union of the former British Somaliland and Italian Somalia. He served as its Foreign Minister and participated in various international conferences

After the military coup of 1969, Issa was appointed to be the Somali Ambassador to Sweden from 1974 to 1983. He retired from the post and spent his final years in Rome, Italy until his death in March 1988.

The late patriot, hero & founding father of Somalia received a national state funeral that drew large crowds from a cross section of society. Ilahay Haku Naxariisto Cabdullaahi Ciise. Without you we wouldn’t have independence. Forever grateful for the sacrifices you made for us.

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