Ali Mohammed Gedi (Somali: Cali Maxamed Geeddi, Arabic: علي محمد جيدي) (born 2 October 1952), popularly known as Ali Gedi,[1] is a Somali politician who was the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye clan, one of Somalia's four most powerful clan 'families'.[2] He narrowly survived a suicide attack at his home that left at least seven people dead on June 3, 2007.[3] Gedi was widely viewed as corrupt, and was replaced by Nur Hassan Hussein as PM during late 2007.[4]
Ali Mohamed Geddi علي محمد جيدي | |
|---|---|
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| 11th Prime Minister of Somalia | |
| In office 1 November 2004 – 29 October 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Abdi Yusuf |
| Succeeded by | Salim Aliyow Ibrow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 October 1952 Jowhar, Trust Territory of Somaliland (present-day Somalia) |
| Nationality | Somali |
| Political party | TFG |
| Spouse | Fadumo Hassan Ali |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Mogadishu University |
| Occupation | Politician |
Biography
Ali Mohamed Gedi was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1952. He is from the Abgaal sub-clan of the Hawiye.
Gedi was raised by his paternal grandmother and later by his stepmother. Gedi's father was an officer in the military and in 1978 joined the Somali National Security Service (NSS) under the reign of Siad Barre at the rank of Colonel.
Gedi studied at Jamal Abdul Nasser High School in Mogadishu, graduating in 1972. He completed military training and national service, and taught in the early 1970s. At university, Gedi excelled in his studies, and went on to the University of Pisa. He graduated in 1978, and was subsequently employed by the Somali National University (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) as an assistant lecturer. From 1980 to 1983, he studied at the University of Pisa for postgraduate studies and obtained a Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Pathology and Surgery. He then returned to teaching in 1983 as a lecturer and headed the department until 1990.
Political career
He attended political reconciliation conferences in Mogadishu (1994 - 1996), in Cairo, Egypt (1997), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (early 1998), in Nairobi, Kenya (late 1998), in Beledweyne, Hiiran - Somalia (1999). (Ali Mohamed Gedi, share with Abdirahman Gutale).[clarification needed]
Gedi was relatively unknown in political circles until his appointment as prime minister to the TFG during 2004.[2] After taking office, Yusuf appointed Ali Mohammed Gedi as Prime Minister. However, on 11 December 2004, parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Gedi’s government, declaring his appointment unconstitutional. Despite this, Yusuf reappointed Gedi only two days later, though by the end of the year, Gedi had not reconstituted his cabinet.[5] According to I.M. Lewis, Yusuf's election as president and his appointment of Gedi, who had ties to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, were heavily influenced by Ethiopia. These connections played a key role in the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia in 2006.[6] The New York Times reported that, "Mr. Gedi’s rise to power was essentially an Ethiopian creation." Ethiopian officials heavily lobbied for his ascension to prime minister.[7]
Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
In March 2005, a debate on deploying foreign troops, including Ethiopian forces, to Somalia led to violence after the resolution was rejected by a vote of 156 to 55. A brawl was initiated by some opposing the result, injuring several MPs, and the vote was declared invalid thereafter. By insisting on the deployment of foreign troops from countries bordering Somalia, Ali Gedi and Yusuf disregarded the views of their cabinet, a clear majority of transitional parliament, and much of the public.[8][9] During June 2005, the TFG moved into Somalia for the first time and promised to establish its authority across the country. Instead it quickly devolved into infighting, and serious internal divisions arose. A seat of power could not be agreed on. 100 members of the 275-strong parliament - led by Speaker Sharif Hassan Aden - chose to move to Mogadishu, stating they would try to restore stability to the capital. On the other hand President Abdullahi Yusuf, Prime Minister Ali Gedi and their supporters set up base in Jowhar, 90 km north of Mogadishu, citing insecurity in the capital.[10]
In March 2006, fighting broke out between the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) warlords and the Islamic Court Union (ICU) over the control of Mogadishu, which intensified in May. The conflict became known as the Second Battle of Mogadishu. The Prime Minister demanded the warlords, four of whom were members of the TFG government,[11] to cease fighting the ICU, but this command was universally ignored and so Ghedi dismissed them from Parliament. These included National Security Minister Mohamed Afrah Qanyare, Commerce Minister Musa Sudi Yalahow, Militia Rehabilitation Minister Issa Botan Alin and Religious Affairs Minister Omar Muhamoud Finnish.[12]
Return to Mogadishu
During December 2006, the ICU and affiliated Islamist militias suffered crucial defeats by the TFG and Ethiopian armies, who on December 29 entered Mogadishu relatively unopposed. Although Ghedi was jubilantly welcomed to the city, his Ethiopian allies faced angry crowds who pelted Ethiopian troops with rocks.[13] On January 1, 2007, he announced "The warlord era in Mogadishu is now over."[14] Ghedi's first actions included declaring martial law for three months, calling for the disarmament of the militias, and the appointment of new judges.[15] The directives that were issued, which included a ban on public meetings, attempts to organize political campaigns and major media outlets, was enforced by Ethiopian troops. Warlord militia checkpoints began reappearing on Mogadishu roads and insecurity started once again returning to the city.[16]
Resignation
Gedi was widely viewed as corrupt, and was replaced by Nur Hassan Hussein as PM during late 2007.[4] Gedi announced his resignation before parliament in Baidoa on October 29, 2007, due to differences with the Somali president, Abdullahi Yusuf. It is rumored that Gedi accepted to resign for future political support.[17][18] He remained a member of parliament.[19]
In early 2008, Gedi announced that he would run for presidency in 2009.[19]
References
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