Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, commonly known as Farmaajo, is a Somali politician and diplomat who served as the 9th President of Somalia from 2017 to 2022 and as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2011. His presidency focused on combating corruption and rebuilding the Somali National Army as part of broader state-building efforts. Since 2012, he has been the founder and leader of the Nabad iyo Nolol political party.
Early life and education
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo was born in Mogadishu on 11 March 1962, into the Marehan, a sub-clan of the Darod. His parents were politically active and affiliated with the Somali Youth League, the country’s first political party. His father also worked as a civil servant in the Department of Transportation during the 1970s.In the early 1980s, Farmaajo began his career in Somalia’s civil service. Between 1982 and 1985, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an administrative role, and from 1985 to 1988 he served at the Somali Embassy in Washington, D.C. This period introduced him to diplomacy and public service, and shaped his later views on Somali state-building.
After relocating to the United States, Farmaajo pursued higher education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in History in 1993. He later earned a Master’s degree in Political Science, completing a thesis titled “U.S. Strategic Interest in Somalia: From the Cold War Era to the War on Terror.”
Alongside his studies, Farmaajo also taught leadership and conflict resolution.
Political career
Prime Minister (2010–2011)
On 15 October 2010, President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed appointed Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo as Prime Minister of Somalia. He was formally sworn in on 1 November 2010 at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu.Upon assuming office, Farmaajo quickly became one of the most prominent political figures in the country, introducing reforms that reshaped expectations of governance in Somalia. His tenure was noted for a focus on security sector reform, government accountability, and the fight against corruption, which distinguished him from previous administrations.
Reforms
During his first 50 days in office, Farmaajo's administration initiated the implementation of a full biometric registration system for the security forces, with the goal of completing the process within four months. Members of the Independent Constitutional Commission were also appointed to engage Somali constitutional lawyers, religious scholars and experts in Somali culture over the nation's scheduled new constitution, a key part of the government's Transitional Federal Tasks. High-level federal delegations were dispatched to defuse clan-related tensions in several regions.To improve transparency, Cabinet ministers fully disclosed their assets and signed a code of ethics. An Anti-Corruption Commission with the power to carry out formal investigations and to review government decisions and protocols was also established so as to more closely monitor all activities by public officials. Furthermore, unnecessary trips abroad by members of government were prohibited, and all travel by ministers now require the Premier's consent. A budget outlining 2011's federal expenditures was also put before and approved by members of parliament, with the payment of civil service employees prioritized. In addition, a full audit of government property and vehicles was to be put into place.
Senior Advisor Abdirahman Omar Osman, mentioned Farmaajo's attention to road repair, reopening public schools and the regular payment of soldiers and civil servants as issues which brought him support from the people during his brief tenure.
Resignation
Farmajo resigned effective 19 June 2011 as part of the Kampala Accord signed on 9 June 2011 by the President and Speaker of the Transitional Federal Government, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, respectively. The agreement overseen by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and United Nations Special Envoy Augustine Mahiga. It was aimed at resolving political disputes within the TFG and bringing an end to its transitional phase.The speaker reportedly opposed Farmaajo's appointment, primarily due to disagreements with the Prime Minister’s reformist approach. Farmaajo sought to establish a more technocratic cabinet, emphasizing competence and efficiency over the traditional clan-based power-sharing formula. While this departure from entrenched practices was welcomed by many Somalis who desired accountable governance, it provoked resistance from political figures whose influence was diminished.
Analysts noted that Farmaajo's resignation was controversial, as it came at a time when his reform agenda—particularly in security sector restructuring and anti-corruption efforts—was gaining momentum and broad public support. Following his departure from office, protests were reported in Mogadishu and among Somali diaspora communities. After stepping down, Farmaajo returned to the United States, where he resumed his position at the New York State Department of Transportation, before re-entering Somali politics in the following years.
2012 presidential elections
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo was a candidate in the 2012 Somali presidential election, which was the first indirect presidential vote held inside Somalia in decades. Although he did not advance to the final round, his campaign was seen as a significant moment in Somali politics.According to analysts, Farmaajo's candidacy was notable for the broad support it generated both domestically and within the Somali diaspora. His reputation as a reformist from his brief tenure as Prime Minister, particularly his emphasis on security reform and anti-corruption measures, helped distinguish him from other candidates. Many Somalis viewed his participation as a signal of the growing demand for leaders focused on governance and accountability rather than patronage politics.
2017 elections
In February 2017, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo stood as a candidate for the Somali presidency under the Nabad iyo Nolol political movement. His platform emphasized security reform, anti-corruption measures, and national unity. On 8 February 2017, the Somali Federal Parliament held the presidential election in Mogadishu. Farmaajo advanced through the rounds of voting and entered the third and final round against incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.In the final tally, Farmaajo received 184 votes out of 329, after which Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded before the full results were announced. His election was celebrated with large public gatherings in Mogadishu and other Somali cities.
Observers described the outcome as a historic transfer of power, noting that legislators faced significant pressure from constituencies and diaspora communities to support Farmaajo's candidacy. The result was widely interpreted as a mandate for reform and accountability, and as a rejection of entrenched corruption and stagnation in Somali politics.