Hamza Bare

I n the last one and half years, Hamza Abdi Bare, the current Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, who was unpopular before been appointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has hit the headlines several times. Before becoming the first person from the Ogaden clan to be Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza served the country in different capacities. He was the chairperson of the Jubaland Independent Boundaries and Electoral Affairs between 2019 and 2020 and a senior advisor on managerial affairs to then Mayor of Mogadishu between 2014 and 2015. Hamza also served as the former SecretaryGeneral of the Peace and Development Party PDP; now Union for Peace and Development Party, whose leader is his boss, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He spent majority of his time in improving the community, especially the education sector. He is the co-founder of Kismayo University, where he served as the Deputy Rector-Cum-Director of Academic Affairs. Hamza also worked as the Deputy General Registrar and Senior Lecturer at Mogadishu University

In 2023, the Prime Minister created talking points when he spoke on different topics while delivering speeches at various events. At The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) he condemned the racial discrimination and oppression that is targeting Muslim communities in many areas of the world, he stressed that the State of Palestine continues to be a source of shame. “Somalia will continue to defend the right of the Palestinian people for selfdetermination,” he said, voicing support for the two-State solution. After the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Prime Minister once again gave the most eloquent speech by the heads of the world governments on the conflict in the Middle East. “Hamas is an Islamic liberation organization and freedom fighters struggling to liberate the Palestinian land and people,” said Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during a speech before he stressed that Somalia refuses to call Hamas a “terrorist organization” or to “heed to pressure.”

“We will not accept to call it a terror group,” Abdi Barre added, explaining that “the Muslim world has been divided, made enemies of each other, and forced to call Hamas a terrorist organization. We don’t say it, and we don’t accept it.” “Where is the world? Where are the human rights defenders? Where are the children’s rights defenders? Where are the women’s rights defenders? Where have they gone?” asked the Prime Minister who shed light on the sad reality in Palestine, saying, “The blood that is spilling from our brothers and the suffering they are being subjected to is for the redemption of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” Under his leadership, The Dan-Qaran (National Interest) Government has worked tirelessly to pass important laws for the government of Somalia while on the other hand it delivered success on convincing the UN Security Council to lift the arms embargo from Somalia. The National Interest Government of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has immensely contributed to Somalia’s admission to the East African Community (EAC) bloc. They did this by focusing on the thorough preparations required for the negotiations with the East African Community team that assessed the Country’s readiness. This has highlighted the Prime Minister’s commitment to fostering regional integration and cooperation. Joining the EAC bloc will bring to Somalia, enhanced economic opportunities, harmonized policies, and increased trade flows. The leadership that the Prime Minister presented in this matter showcased his dedication to advancing the country’s interests on the regional stage.

His government has also given great importance to the Somalia debt relief program, which was finally concluded in 2023. In the past one year. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said that the relief is “equivalent to relieving every Somali person of a debt of more than $300”. “This is a testament that our country and our people are financially viable, attracting foreign investment, and we are no longer debtridden,” he added. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said that the relief is monumental as it will allow Somalia to invest in development programs, revitalise the economy and borrow money from international lending institutions. Hamza’s government completed the process that saw Somalia successfully pass the test of getting arms embargo lift. In a response to the United Nations Security Council’s decision to fully lift the 31-year arms embargo on Somalia, Prime Minister Barre expressed jubilation, calling it a historic victory for the nation. The move is expected to usher in a new era of strengthened national defense capabilities and increased efforts to combat insurgency. The PM Barre said he sees UN’s decision as a turning Point in Somalia’s pursuit of lasting peace. Prime Minister Barre, in a statement, emphasized the profound opportunities now presented to Somalia, particularly in the reequipping of the National Army engaged in challenging operations aimed at securing the country. “We now have a great opportunity to equip our army with sophisticated weapons and rebuild a strong defense force,” declared Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre. The Prime Minister highlighted the strategic advantage of acquiring modern weaponry without discrimination, paving the way for a more effective and robust defense against security threats. He also acknowledged the support of many nations willing to stand by Somalia in its endeavor to rebuild the armed forces. “We will equip our army with modern weapons to liberate the country from the threat posed by extremist groups,” affirmed Prime Minister Barre, underlining the commitment to ensuring the security and well-being of the Somali people. Hamza Abdi Barre has generally made many talking points in Somalia, Africa and the Globe.