H.E. Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is the 10th President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He was elected on 15 May 2022, having previously served as the 8th President of the Republic from 2012 to 2017.
President Hassan Sheikh was born in Jalalaqsi, in the Hiiraan region, in 1955. His father was a well-known businessman in the region.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Somali National University in 1981. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Technical Education from Bhopal University, India in 1988. In 2022, he completed his Ph.D. in Peace Studies, Good Governance, and Development from the United Nations University for Peace. Additionally, he has undertaken courses at international institutions such as Mennonite University, among others, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Literature by Barkatullah University in 2015.
Dr. Hassan Sheikh is widely recognized as a pioneer of modern education in Somalia. In the early stages of his career, he served as a teacher at Lafoole Technical Secondary School and later became Dean of the Teacher Training College at Lafoole University.
Following the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, he became deeply involved in literacy campaigns. From 1993 to 1995, he worked with UNICEF to promote children’s education in Somalia.
In 1999, he co-founded and led the Somali Institute of Management and Administration Development (SIMAD), which later evolved into SIMAD University, where he served as President until 2010.
Dr. Hassan Sheikh was among the few intellectuals who remained in Somalia after the civil war and chose not to flee the country’s hardships. His contributions extended beyond education into peacebuilding and reconciliation. He played a vital role in mediating between warring factions in Mogadishu and was instrumental in the removal of the Green Line, which had divided the capital between the north and south for years.
In 2001, he joined the Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD) as a researcher, focusing on post-conflict reconciliation. He travelled across the country, engaging diverse communities.
In 2008, he led Telecom Somalia, a major telecommunications company.
Before entering politics, President Hassan Sheikh was a leading figure in Somalia’s civil society for over 20 years and actively contributed to early state-building efforts.
In 2011, he founded the Peace and Development Party (PDP) and was elected as its Chair.
In 2012, he became the first Somali President elected inside Somalia in over 42 years, and the first non-transitional President since the collapse of the former government led by Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
In 2013, TIME Magazine listed President Hassan Sheikh among the 100 most influential people in the world.
Politics: He implemented an inclusive political strategy and completed the federalization process of the country, establishing Jubbaland, South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug federal member states.
Security: He led significant reforms to rebuild and enhance the Somali National Army’s capability, leading to successful military operations, notably Red Sea and Gorgor, which liberated numerous areas from extremist groups.
Economy: Key financial institutions were revived, including the Central Bank, and the country adopted its first official national budget. He also initiated the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief process, reconnecting Somalia with international financial institutions (IFIs).
Foreign Relations: Somalia emerged from transitional status under his leadership and built robust diplomatic ties with neighbouring and global partners.
Politics: Guided by his vision of “Somalia in agreement with itself and at peace with the world,” he revived collaboration between the Federal Government and Federal Member States. The National Consultative Council (NCC) reached critical agreements on fiscal federalism, judicial federalization, resource-sharing, national security architecture, constitutional review, and implementation of direct elections. The Federal Parliament also passed key legislation to support these reforms.
Security: Under his leadership, Somalia made major military gains, liberating extensive territories in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West, and Jubbaland, reconnecting Mogadishu to Xarardheere. The UN arms embargo was successfully lifted, and national forces assumed internal security responsibilities as the drawdown of peacekeeping troops began.
Economy: Somalia completed the HIPC debt relief process, which started under his first term, and formally joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2023, opening access to significant external funding. According to the World Bank, Somalia’s economic growth increased from 0.2% in 2022 to 2.8% in 2023, with projections reaching 4.3% by 2028.
Foreign Affairs: In line with his foreign policy vision of “Somalia at peace with the world,” the country has regained a respected position in international diplomacy. Somalia joined the EAC and was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025–2026. Furthermore, Somalia secured the lifting of the three-decade-long UN arms embargo.