Kormeeraha team has picked Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud as the outstanding Somali personality of the month of November for his exceptional work as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Mohamud was celebrating his first anniversary as Foreign Minister when the Prime Minister Mohamed Roble abruptly removed him from office on November 20.
Nobody knows exactly what events led to his replacement because, the few days, weeks and months which preceded the event, the minister was fighting on all fronts to get Somalia out of UN tutelage.
Mohamed Abdirizak was actively involved in Somali politics since 2006 and was part of every federal administration since Abdullahi Yusuf became president.
His expertise in advising presidents on policies, security and constitutional matters since 2006 has prepared him for Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to entrust him with the very important portfolio of foreign affairs.
Abdirizak has been a fierce advocate of the gradual departure of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and was one of the architects of the Security Transitional Plan (STP) which sets the stage for the African troops to pack their bags and leave Somalia’s security responsibility to Somalis.
He beautifully succeeded in his tireless efforts to make Somalia be known and respected on the world stage and convinced the world and the African Union to accept the Somali-led STP initiative.
The former minister will be remembered for his uncompromising stance toward corrupt behavior of foreign diplomats and namely the expulsion of Simon Mulongo.
Abdirizak, whose father was a high ranking official before the civil war, is an articulated statesman and has a good understanding of the Horn of African region and international affairs.
Mohamed tried unsuccessfully to be elected president in 2016 and we believe that his presence in Parliament or in Villa Somalia would be a great asset for the advancement of Somalia.
We commend his patriotism, hard work and leadership to make Somalia relevant on the international stage.
