The Majeerteen, (, ; also spelled Majerteen, Macherten, Majertain, or Mijurtin) alternately known as Mohammed Harti, are a Somali sub-clan part of the

Harti Harti () is a Somali clan that traces its lineage back to Saleh Abdi Harti. They are a sub-clan of the larger Darod clan. Notable sub-clans within Harti include the Majeerteen, Warsangali, Warsengeli, Dishishe, and the Dhulbahante. They predomi ...

branch of the

Darod clan The Darod (, ) is a Somali clan. The forefather of this clan is Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darod. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands adjacent ...

. Traditionally, they inhabit extensive territories in the

Bari Bari ( ; ; ; ) is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the Apulia Regions of Italy, region, on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. It is the first most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy. It is a port and ...

Nugaal The Nugaal () is an intermittent river Intermittent, temporary or seasonal rivers or streams cease to flow every year or at least twice every five years. Such rivers drain large arid and semi-arid areas, covering approximately a third of ...

, and

Mudug Mudug () is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north-central Somalia. The population of Mudug is 131,455 as of 2005. Overview Physiographically, Mudug is bordered to the west by Ethiopia, to the north and south by the Somali regions of Nu ...

regions of Somalia, spanning from

Bosaso Bosaso (, ), historically known as Bender Qassim is a city in the northeastern Bari province ('' gobol'') of Somalia. It is the seat of the Bosaso District. Located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, the municipality serves as the region ...

to Garacad, mainly in

Puntland Puntland is an autonomous state that considers itself to be part of Somalia, despite not accepting the legitimacy of Somalia's current governing administration. It was formed in 1998, and was a federal member state of Somalia from its fou ...

state. Additionally, Majeerteen populations are present in southern towns such as

Kismayo Kismayo (, , ; ) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region. The city is situated southwest of the capital Mogadishu, near the mouth of the Jub ...

Overview

The

Majeerteen Sultanates The Majeerteen, (, ; also spelled Majerteen, Macherten, Majertain, or Mijurtin) alternately known as Mohammed Harti, are a Somali sub-clan part of the Harti branch of the Darod, Darod clan. Traditionally, they inhabit extensive territories in ...

played an important role in the pre-independence era of Somalia. The Majeerteen also held many other significant government posts in the 1960s and 1970s, and continue to play a key role in Puntland state and Somalia as a whole. For the treaty between the Majeerteen and colonial powers, see "treaties".

Distribution

The Majeerteen are traditionally settled in Somalia's northern regions of

, Nugal and

.Royal African Society, ''African Affairs'', Volume 101, (Oxford University Press: 2002) p.101. They can also be found in

in southern Somalia due to migrations starting in the 19th century along with their fellow members of the larger

subclan, the

Dhulbahante The Dhulbahante, (, ) are a Somali sub-clan, part of the Harti branch of the larger Darod clan. They primary reside in and around their traditional territories of Nugaal, as well as Doollo. The clan's progenitor is buried at Badweyn. The cur ...

Dishiishe The Dishishe (, Arabic ) also spelled Dashiishe, a prominent Somali clan within the Darod Harti lineage. They are a sub-clan of the Ahmed Harti (Mora'ase) , and are considered fraternal clans to the Gabtaanle, Tiinle, and Maganlabe. The Dishi ...

and

Warsangeli The Warsangali (, ), alternatively the Mohamoud Harti, are a major Somalis#Clans, Somali sub clan, part of the larger Harti branch, which belongs to the Darod clan, one of the largest Somali tribe families. In the Somali language, the name Warsan ...

. The Majeerteen are traditionally settled in the land in-between

Murcanyo Murcanyo (, ), also known as Bander Murcaayo (alternatively Bandar Murcaayo or Bunder Marayah), is a coastal town in the northeastern Bari province of Somalia. It is situated in the autonomous Puntland region Location Murcanyo is located at , i ...

, Bandar Siyad an ancient port town facing the

Gulf of Aden The Gulf of Aden (; ) is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channel, the Socotra Archipelago, Puntland in Somalia and Somaliland to the south. ...

, and Garacad a coastal port town, facing the

Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...

and all the land in between which corresponds to the area encompassing the Horn of Africa. Therefore, the Majerteen are settled in what is literally considered to be 'the Horn of Africa'. Some Majeerteen people are also found in the

Somali Region The Somali Region (, , ), also known as Soomaali Galbeed () and officially the Somali Regional State, is a Regions of Ethiopia, regional state in eastern Ethiopia. It is the largest region of Ethiopia. The state borders the Ethiopian regions ...

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

, specifically in the

Dollo Zone Dollo () is one of the nine zones in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. It was previously known as Warder/Werder, so named after its largest city, Warder. Dollo is bordered on the southwest by Korahe, on the northwest by Jarar, and on the southeas ...

near the Somalia border. The Majeerteen are part of Darod subclans within Somalia. The Majeerteen are more commonly found in the cities of

Garowe Garowe (, ,Galkacyo Galkayo (, ,Dr Badal Kariye Ba Bsit Ma Mba & Phd, ''The Kaleidoscopic Lover: The Civil War in the Horn of Africa & My Itinerary for a Peaceful Lover'', (AuthorHouse: 2010), p.116. Italian: ''Gallacaio also known as Rocca Littorio'') is the third- ...

which are all regional capitals of

Bari, Somalia Bari (, ) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in northeastern Somalia that consists of six districts: Qandala, Iskushuban, Aluula, Bosaso, Bandarbeyla, and Qardho. The port city of Bosaso is the capital of the region and the largest ...

Nugal, Somalia Nugal (, , ), traditionally known as Nugaaleed-Bari or Bari-Nugaal meaning eastern Nugaal, or Nugaal xaggeeda hoose meaning ''lower Nugaal'', is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in northern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by Sool to t ...

and

respectively. The Osman Mahmud (Cismaan Maxamuud), Omar Mohamoud (Cumar Maxamuud) (), and Isse Mahmoud (Ciise Maxamuud) comprise the Maxamuud Saleebaan, along with Ali Saleebaan and Ugaar Saleebaan which all forms the major subclan of Saleebaan Maxamed (Majeerteen) which a 2010 study identifies as both the main division of Majeerteen and a central and unifying entity in Puntland. During the 1960s, the

Osman Mahamud Osman Mahamuud (, ), also known as Uthman III ibn Mahmud, was a Somali king. He led the Majeerteen Sultanate during the 19th century. Majeerteen Sultanate The Majeerteen Sultanate was established by Somalis from the Majeerteen Darod clan. Osma ...

, Ali Saleebaan (or Cali Saleebaan), Wadalmoge and Ciise Maxamuud formed a powerful business class in

, while

Siad Barre Mohammed Siad Barre (, Osmanya script: , ''Muhammad Ziād Barīy''; 6 October 1919 – 2 January 1995) was a Somali military officer, politician, and revolutionary who served as the third president of Somalia from 21 October 1969 to 26 Janu ...

exploited a rivalry between the Cali Saleebaan and Cumar Maxamuud in an effort to weaken the Majeerteen in general. Historically, the Majeerteen formed part of a coastal trading network around the

Red Sea The Red Sea is a sea inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. Its connection to the ocean is in the south, through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. To its north lie the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and th ...

and the

, along with other subclans.

History

Majeerteen Sultanates

Before the famous

Majeerteen Sultanate The Majeerteen Sultanate (, ), or Majerteen Kingdom also known as Majeerteenia and/or Migiurtinia, was a Somali kingdom centered in the Horn of Africa. Ruled by Boqor Osman Mahamuud during its golden age, the sultanate controlled the areas co ...

there was the Sultanate of Amaanle (Abdirahman Awe) which was overthrown and overtaken by

Osman Mahamuud Osman Mahamuud (, ), also known as Uthman III ibn Mahmud, was a Somali king. He led the Majeerteen Sultanate during the 19th century. Majeerteen Sultanate The Majeerteen Sultanate was established by Somalis from the Majeerteen Darod clan. Os ...

who became the subsequent King and Sultan. The

was founded in the early-16th century and came to prominence in the 19th century, under the reign of the resourceful

King King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

(''

Boqor This is a list of Somali aristocratic and court titles that were historically used by the Somali people's various sultanates, kingdoms and empires. Also included are the honorifics reserved for Islamic notables as well as traditional leaders and o ...

'')

Helen Chapin Metz Helen Chapin Metz (April 12, 1928 – May 13, 2011) was an American editor and Middle East analyst. Life Helen Chapin was born on April 12, 1928, in Peking, China. She was the daughter of diplomat Selden Chapin and Mary Paul Noyes. Her brother, ...

, ed., ''Somalia: a country study'', (The Division: 1993), p.10. His Sultanate controlled Bari Karkaar,

and also central Somalia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The polity maintained a robust trading network, entered into treaties with foreign powers, and exerted strong centralized authority on the domestic front.''Horn of Africa'', Volume 15, Issues 1-4, (Horn of Africa Journal: 1997), p.130.''Transformation towards a regulated economy'', (WSP Transition Programme, Somali Programme: 2000) p.62. Osman Mahamuud's Sultanate was nearly destroyed in the late-1800s by a power struggle between himself and his ambitious cousin,

Yusuf Ali Kenadid Yusuf Ali Kenadid (; 1837 – 14 August 1911) was a Somali Sultan and the founder of the Sultanate of Hobyo. He was succeeded to the throne by his son Ali Yusuf Kenadid. Family Yusuf Ali Kenadid was born into the Bah Yaaqub (part of the large ...

who founded the

Sultanate of Hobyo The Sultanate of Hobyo (, ), also known as the Sultanate of Obbia,''New International Encyclopedia'', Volume 21, (Dodd, Mead: 1916), p.283. was a 19th-century Somali Sultanate in present-day northeastern and central Somalia and eastern Ethiopia ...

in 1878. Initially he wanted to seize control of the neighbouring Majeerteen Sultanate, ruled by his cousin ''

. However,

was unsuccessful in his endeavour, and was eventually forced into exile in

Yemen Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...

. A decade later, in the 1870s, Yusuf Ali Kenadid returned from the

Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. Geographically, the ...

with a band of Hadhrami

musketeer A musketeer ( ) was a type of soldier equipped with a musket. Musketeers were an important part of early modern warfare, particularly in Europe, as they normally comprised the majority of their infantry. The musketeer was a precursor to the rifl ...

s and a group of devoted lieutenants. With their assistance, he managed to overpower the local

Hawiye The Hawiye (; ) are one of the principal and largest of the Somali clans, tracing their lineage back to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Uthman, also known as Sheikh Hawiye, the eponymous figure of the clan. They are considered the earliest do ...

clans and establish the Kingdom of Hobyo in 1878.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: reconstructing the history of a pastoral people, 1600-1900'', (University of Pennsylvania Press: 1982), p.75. Sultan Ali Yusuf Kenadid

As with the Majeerteen Sultanate, the Sultanate of Hobyo exerted a strong centralized authority during its existence, and possessed all of the organs and trappings of an integrated modern state: a functioning bureaucracy, a hereditary nobility, titled aristocrats, a state flag, as well as a professional army.Michigan State University. African Studies Center, Northeast African studies, Volumes 11-12, (Michigan State University Press: 1989), p.32. Both sultanates also maintained written records of their activities, which still exist.

Colonial Era

In the late 19th century, all extant northern Somali monarchs entered into treaties with one of the colonial powers, Abyssinia, Britain or Italy, except for the Dhulbahante. Likewise, in late 1889, Boqor Osman entered into a treaty with the

Italians Italians (, ) are a European peoples, European ethnic group native to the Italian geographical region. Italians share a common Italian culture, culture, History of Italy, history, Cultural heritage, ancestry and Italian language, language. ...

, making his realm an Italian

protectorate A protectorate, in the context of international relations, is a State (polity), state that is under protection by another state for defence against aggression and other violations of law. It is a dependent territory that enjoys autonomy over ...

. His rival Sultan Kenadid had signed a similar agreement vis-a-vis his own Sultanate the year before. Both rulers had signed the protectorate treaties to advance their own expansionist objectives, with Boqor Osman looking to use Italy's support in his ongoing power struggle with Kenadid over the Majeerteen Sultanate. Boqor Osman and Sultan Kenadid also hoped to exploit the conflicting interests among the European imperial powers that were then looking to control the Somali peninsula, so as to avoid direct occupation of their territories by force.The Majeerteen Sultanates The relationship between the

and Italy soured when Sultan Kenadid refused the Italians' proposal to allow a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

contingent of troops to disembark in his Sultanate so that they might then pursue their battle against

Mohammed Abdullah Hassan Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, ...

's Dervish forces. Viewed as too much of a threat by the Italians, Sultan Kenadid was eventually exiled to

Aden Aden () is a port city located in Yemen in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula, on the north coast of the Gulf of Aden, positioned near the eastern approach to the Red Sea. It is situated approximately 170 km (110 mi) east of ...

in Yemen and then to

Eritrea Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa, with its capital and largest city being Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the Eritrea–Ethiopia border, south, Sudan in the west, and Dj ...

, as was his son Ali Yusuf, the heir apparent to his throne.

Osman Yusuf Kenadid Osman Yusuf Kenadid (; ; 1889 – 14 August 1972) was a Somalis, Somali poet, writer, teacher and ruler. Born in Ceel Huur in 1889, he went on to create the Osmanya alphabet for writing Somali language, Somali. He died on 31 August 1972 in Mogad ...

, the son of the first Sultan

, was a famous poet and scholar.

was the inventor of the first phonetically standard script for the Somali language in the 1920s, the

Osmanya Osmanya (, ), known in Somali as ''Far Soomaali'' (, "Somali writing") and in Arabic as ''al-kitābah al-ʿuthmānīyah'' (; "Osman writing"), is an alphabetic script created to transcribe the Somali language. It was invented by Osman Yusuf Ke ...

Script. Following a two-year resistance by Boqor Osman and Majeerteen rebels, Italian Somaliland came under the full authority of Rome by late 1927. Long-lasting Italian costal bombardments on urban settlements and naval blockades were utilized by colonial forces to suppress the rebels.

Lineage

There is no clear agreement on the clan and sub-clan structures and many lineages are omitted. The following listing is taken from the

World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and Grant (money), grants to the governments of Least developed countries, low- and Developing country, middle-income countries for the purposes of economic development ...

's ''Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics'' from 2005 and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

Home Office The Home Office (HO), also known (especially in official papers and when referred to in Parliament) as the Home Department, is the United Kingdom's interior ministry. It is responsible for public safety and policing, border security, immigr ...

publication, ''Somalia Assessment 2001''.Worldbank,
Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics
'', January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.55 Figure A-1Country Information and Policy Unit, Home Office, Great Britain, Somalia Assessment 2001, Annex B: Somali Clan Structure
, p. 43 * Shiekh Darod (Daarood bin Ismaciil) ** Marehan *** Red Dini *** Reer Hassan *** Cali Dheere ** Kabalah *** Absame **** Ogaden ***** Makabul *****Tolomoge ***** Mohamed Zubeir ***** Aulihan *****Bah-geri **** Jidwaaq ***** Abaskuul ***** Bartire ***** Yabaree *** Koombe **** Geri *****

Geri Koombe The Geri Koombe (, ) is a sub-clan of Darod, an archaic prominent Somali clan with the first mention of Garadship, the Geri clan have produced notable figures such as Ahmed Gurey and his brother in law Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali, Garad Matan. Dur ...

****

***** Dhulbahante (Dolbahante) ***** Dishiishe (Dishishe) ***** Warsangali (Warsengeli) ***** Majeerteen (Mijerteen) ***** Wabeeneeye *****Idigfale (Muuse Noleys) *****Danweyne (Abdalle Noleys) *****Amaanle *****Guddoonwaaq *****Filkucaag *****Amartiwaaq *****Tabale *****Cali Jibrahil ******Maxamed Cali (Reer Gurey) ******Xuseen Cali ******Cumar Cali ******Cismaan Cali *******Muuse Cismaan *******Cabdi Cismaan ********Ciise Cabdi ********Cali Cabdi ********Maxamuud Cabdi ********Ismacil Cabdi *********Muumin Ismacil *********Maxamed Ismacil *********Aadan Ismacil *********Macawiye Ismacil **********Samatar Macawiye (Maxamed Naleye) **********Faarax Macawiye **********Siciid Macawiye **********Cabdiraxman Macawiye *****Nuux Jibrahiil *****Cabdirixiin Ibraahim *****Cabdale Ibrahim *****Adan Ibrahim *****Reer Maxamud *****Wadalmoge ******Maxamed Muuse *******Ismail Maxamed *******Cali Maxamed *******Abokor Maxamed *******Nuux Maxamed *******Baraale Maxamed ******Idiris Muuse *******Reer Faahiye *******Reer Ciise *******Rooble Cawlyahan *******Ilka Dheer *****Reer Umar *****Reer Maxamuud ******Abukar Maxamuud *******Faarax Ismacil *******Ciise Ismacil *******Maxamed Ismacil ******Qaasin Maxamuud *******Maxamed Qaasin *******Axmed Qaasin *******Aadan Qaasin *******Bare Qaasin *******Ibraahim Qaasin ***** Reer Bicidyahan *****Siwaaqroon ******Abdirahman *******Adan Abdiraxman ********Ibrahim Abdisamad ********Yoonis Abdisamad ********Mohamud Abdisamad *******Cawlyahan (Obokor Abdiraxman) ********Ciise Cawlyahan ********Jibriil Cawlyahan ********Hashim Cawlyahan ******Mohammed ***** Ugaar Saleebaan ****** Ibrahim Aadan ****** Hussein Aadan *****Ismail Saleebaan *****Ali Saleebaan ******Bicidyahan Ali ******Auliyahan Ali ******Omar Ali ******Adam Ali ******Ismail Ali *****Maxamuud Saleebaan ****** Cismaan Maxamuud ****** Cumar Maxamuud ****** Nuux Maxamuud ****** Ciise Maxamuud

Groups

* Taargooye, an exclusively Majeerteen Darawiish administrative division and disbanded in 1910 when its constituents became mutinous *The ''

Somali Salvation Democratic Front Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) (), initially known as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia, was a political and paramilitary umbrella organization in Somalia. Founded in 1978 by several army officers, it was the first of severa ...

'' (SSDF) was a predominantly Majeerteen political group from the 1980s to 1990s

Notable people

Actors

Barkhad Abdi Barkhad Abdi (, ; born April 10, 1985) is a Somali-American actor. He made his acting debut as the pirate Abduwali Muse in the biographical drama film '' Captain Phillips'' (2013), which earned him a British Academy Film Award for Best Actor i ...

, actor known for his role as

Abduwali Muse Abduwali Abdulkadir Muse (born 1990) is a Somali Piracy off the coast of Somalia, pirate. He is the sole survivor of four pirates who Maersk Alabama hijacking, hijacked the in April 2009 and then held Captain Richard Phillips (merchant mariner) ...

in the film ''Captain Phillips''

Royalty

Ali Yusuf Kenadid Ali Yusuf Kenadid (, ; died 1927) was a Somali Sultan and the second ruler of the Sultanate of Hobyo. History Ali Yusuf was born into a Majeerteen Darod family. His father, Sultan Yusuf Ali Kenadid, was the founder of the Sultanate of Hob ...

, last sultan of the

, king of the

, founder of the Sultanate of Hobyo

Military

Abdullahi Ahmed Irro Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (; - ), Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf Irro,''ARR: Arab report and record'', (Economic Features, ltd.: 1978), p.602. was a prominent Somali military professor and late general. He helped establish the National Academy for Strategy. ...

, Somali general, founded the National Academy for Strategy *

Jama Ali Jama Jama Ali Jama (, ) is a Somali politician. He was the President of Puntland from November 14, 2001, to May 8, 2002. The period of his presidency was overshadowed by the Puntland Crisis (2001–2002), which began after former president Abdullahi ...

, colonel in the Somali military and former

president of Puntland The president of Puntland is the head of government and state of Puntland. The Presidency was elected by the House of Representatives of Puntland behind establishing the Puntland State in Somalia on August 1, 1998. History and establishment In ...

Mohamed Abshir Muse Mohamed Abshir Muse (, ); 1 July 1926 – 25 October 2017), also known as Mahamed Abshir Haamaan, was a prominent Somali General and the first Commander of the Somali Police Force. Early years Abshir Muse was born to a Somali family and recei ...

, first commander of the

Somali Police Force The Somali Police Force (SPF; (CBS); ) is the national police force and the main civil law enforcement agency of Somalia. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control, maintaining public safe ...

Mohamed Osman Irro Mohamud Osman Irro (, ; 1943 – October 26, 1978), also known as Mohamud Sheikh Osman Irro (Maxamuud Shiikh Cismaan Cirro)Mohamed Osman Omar, ''The road to zero: Somalia's self-destruction'', (HAAN Associates: 1992), p.125. or Mohamud Sheikh Osm ...

, Colonel in the

Somali National Army The Somali National Army () are the ground forces component of the Somali Armed Forces. Since Somali independence in 1960, the Army fought to expand and increase Somalia's sphere of influence throughout the Horn of Africa counter to Ethiopia' ...

Enterprisers

* Ali A. Abdi, sociologist, professor of education and international development at the

University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a Public university, public research university with campuses near University of British Columbia Vancouver, Vancouver and University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada ...

. * Ali Haji Warsame, entrepreneur, former Chief Executive Officer of Golis Telecom Somalia * Iman, Somali American elite

fashion model A model is a person with a role either to display commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as an artist's model. Modelling ("modeling" in American English) entails using one's body to represent someone ...

, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the widow of English rock musician

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

. * Maxamed Daahir Afrah, novelist, playwright, journalist and

scholar A scholar is a person who is a researcher or has expertise in an academic discipline. A scholar can also be an academic, who works as a professor, teacher, or researcher at a university. An academic usually holds an advanced degree or a termina ...

Mohammed Awale Liban Hagi Mohammed Awale Liban (, ) was a Somali scholar. He is noted for having designed the flag of Somalia in 1954. Liban also later served as the Chief of Cabinet of the Presidency in the nascent Somali Republic. Biography Awale was a nation ...

, designed the

flag of Somalia The national flag of Somalia was adopted on October 12, 1954, and was designed by Mohammed Awale Liban. The flag was initially used within the Trust Territory of Somaliland before being adopted by the short-lived State of Somaliland and the Som ...

* Omar A. Ali, entrepreneur, accountant, financial consultant, philanthropist, and leading specialist on Islamic finance. * Shire Haji Farah, entrepreneur, and Executive Committee Member of the Somali Business Council * Yaasiin Cismaan Kenadid, traditional Somali linguist *

Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke (, ) was a Somali political figure and activist. Biography Sharmarke was born to the Osman Mahamoud sub-clan of the larger Majeerteen. He was the leader and founder of the Somali Youth League (SYL, established 19 ...

, leader and co-founder of the

Somali Youth League The Somali Youth League (SYL, , Arabic: رابطة الشباب الصومالي, or ''Lega Somala della Gioventù''), initially known as the Somali Youth Club (SYC), was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nati ...

, inventor of the

writing script

Politicians

Abdirashid Shermarke Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke (, ) (8 June 1919 – 15 October 1969), was the first Prime Minister of Somalia from 12 July 1960 to 14 June 1964 and the second President of Somalia from 6 July 1967, until his assassination on October 15, 1969.

, first

prime minister of Somalia The prime minister of Somalia () is the head of government of Somalia. There have been 22 official prime ministers since the office was created in 1956. The first prime minister was Abdullahi Issa, who served prior to independence in the Trus ...

, second

president of Somalia The president of Somalia () is the head of state of Somalia. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The president represents the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the unity of the Somali nation, as well as ensuri ...

(1967–1969) *

Abdirizak Haji Hussein Abdirizak Haji Hussein (; ‎; 24 December 192431 January 2014) was a Somali diplomat and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Somali Republic from 14 June 1964 to 15 July 1967.

, former prime minister of Somalia (1964–1967), and former secretary general of the Somali Youth League *

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (, ‎; 15 December 1934 – 23 March 2012), was a Somali politician and former military official who served as the first President of Puntland from 1998 to 2004. He also played a key role in establishing the Transitional ...

, former president of Somalia,

and co-founder of the

Abdirahman Farole Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamoud Farole (; ; born 1945) is a Somali politician. He served for many years in the government, acting as a governor of the Nugal region of Somalia in the 1990s and later as the Minister of Finance of the autonomous Pun ...

, former

President of Puntland The president of Puntland is the head of government and state of Puntland. The Presidency was elected by the House of Representatives of Puntland behind establishing the Puntland State in Somalia on August 1, 1998. History and establishment In ...

and senator of

Federal Government of Somalia The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS; , DFS; ) is the internationally recognised government of Somalia, and the longest running attempt to create a central government in Somalia since the collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991. It ...

* Abdi Farah Said, former Somali minister of interior, current minister of interior of Puntland * Abshir Omar Huruse, current Somali minister of foreign affairs * Abdisaid Muse Ali, former Somali minister of foreign affairs * Abdulqawi Yusuf, lawyer and judge at the

International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice (ICJ; , CIJ), or colloquially the World Court, is the only international court that Adjudication, adjudicates general disputes between nations, and gives advisory opinions on International law, internation ...

* Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, former president of Puntland *

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Abdiweli Mohamed Ali GaasBriefi ...

, former prime minister of Somalia, and former president of Puntland * Ahmed Isse Awad, former Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs * Ali Abdi Aware, former Puntland state minister * Asha Gelle Dirie, former minister of Puntland; founder and executive director of TAG Foundation *

Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ayaan Hirsi Ali (; born 13 November 1969) is a Dutch and American writer, activist, conservative thinker and former politician. She is a critic of Islam and an advocate for the rights and self-determination of Muslim women, opposing forced mar ...

, Dutch politician, the first Somali-born member of parliament of a European country,

author In legal discourse, an author is the creator of an original work that has been published, whether that work exists in written, graphic, visual, or recorded form. The act of creating such a work is referred to as authorship. Therefore, a sculpt ...

and

political activist A political movement is a collective attempt by a group of people to change government policy or social values. Political movements are usually in opposition to an element of the status quo, and are often associated with a certain ideology. Some ...

Farah Ali Jama Farah Ali Jama (, ) is a Somali economist and politician. From January 2009 to January 2014, he served as the Minister of Finance of Puntland. Personal life Jama hails from the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia. He belongs to th ...

, former minister of finance of Puntland *

Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf (, ; 1912–1984), commonly referred to as Haji Bashir,SAMIULLAH, MUHAMMAD. DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE WRITING THROUGH COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH AT SECONDARY LEVEL. Diss. UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB, 2011. was a Somali politician. He ...

, first president of the Somali National Assembly; former minister of health and labor of Somalia *

Hassan Abshir Farah Hassan Abshir Farah (, ; June 20, 1945 – July 12, 2020) was a Somali politician. He previously served as mayor of Mogadishu and interior minister of Puntland. From November 12, 2001 to November 8, 2003, he was also prime minister of Somalia. ...

, former

Mogadishu Mogadishu, locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port connecting traders across the Indian Ocean for millennia and has ...

mayor, Somali ambassador to Japan and later Germany, interior minister of Puntland * Hassan Ali Mire, first minister of education of the

Somali Democratic Republic The Somali Democratic Republic (; , ; ) was a socialist state in Somalia that existed from 1969 to 1991. Established in October 1969, the Somali Democratic Republic emerged following a 1969 Somali coup d'état, coup d'état led by Major General ...

; former chairman of the

. *

Hirsi Magan Isse Hirsi Ali "Magan" Issa (; ; 1935–2008), commonly known as Hirsi Magan, was a Somali scholar, intellectual, and political dissident. He was a prominent figure in the Somalian Rebellion, Somali culture, and Somalia's political elite. Magan co-f ...

, scholar and revolutionary leader with the Somali Salvation Democratic Front. *

Ilhan Omar Ilhan Abdullahi Omar (born October 4, 1982) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to Congress, Omar served in the Minnesota House of Represen ...

Somali American Somali Americans are Americans of Somali ancestry. The first ethnic Somalis to arrive in the U.S. were sailors who came in the 1920s from British Somaliland. They were followed by students pursuing higher studies in the 1960s and 1970s, by the la ...

politician, member of the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Artic ...

for

Minnesota's 5th congressional district Minnesota's 5th congressional district is a geographically small urban and suburban congressional district in Minnesota. It covers eastern Hennepin County, Minnesota, Hennepin County, including the entire city of Minneapolis, along with parts ...

since 2019 * Mire Hagi Farah Mohamed, former Somali minister of finance, and former mayor of

* Mohamed Abdi Aware, Puntland judge and member of the Supreme Judicial Council of Puntland. * Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan, son-in-law of

and minister of defense of Somalia * Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud, former Somali minister of foreign affairs *

Mohamud Muse Hersi ''Maj Gen'' Mohamud Muse Hersi (, ; 1 July 1937 – 8 February 2017), Adde Musa, was a Somali military official and former President of Puntland from 8 January 2005 to 8 January 2009. Biography A former General in the Somali Armed Forces of ...

, third president of Puntland * Said Abdullahi Dani, former minister of planning of Somalia, current president of Puntland * Saida Haji Bashir Ismail, former Somali finance vice-minister in the

Transitional National Government The Transitional National Government (TNG) was the internationally recognized central government of Somalia from 2000 to 2004. Overview The TNG was established in 20 April–5 May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Arta, Djibo ...

(2000–2004) * Omar Samatar, fought against Italian occupation of

Hobyo Hobyo (; ) is an ancient port city in Galmudug state in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo was founded as a coastal outpost by the Ajuran Empire during the 13th century.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: reconstru ...

after the surrender of the Sultan of Hobyo * Omar Sharmarke, former

and son of Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke *

Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Yusuf Mohamed Ismail "Bari-Bari" (, ; 15 July 1958 – 27 March 2015) was a Somali diplomat and politician. He was the Ambassador of Somalia to the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva. Personal life Ismail was born in 1960 in Rome, It ...

, former ambassador of

Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...

to the

United Nations Human Rights Office The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a department of the United Nations Secretariat that works to promote and protect human rights that are guaranteed under international law and stipulated in the Univers ...

Geneva Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...