# Abdirizak Haji Hussein (Cabdirisaaq Xaaji Xuseen)

> Abdirizak Haji Hussein (1924–2014): Somali Youth League leader, Prime Minister 1964–1967 and UN ambassador.

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Last checked: 2026-11-12
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## Who was he?

Abdirizak Haji Hussein was a Somali politician and diplomat. He was Prime Minister of the [Somali Republic](/en/states/somali-republic-1960-1969/) from June 1964 to 1967 ([Castagno, *Historical Dictionary of Somalia*, 1975, "Abdirazak Haji Hussein"](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). He is remembered for pushing to make state institutions more accountable ([Wikipedia, Abdirizak Haji Hussein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirizak_Haji_Hussein)).

## Early life

He was born in 1924 near Galkayo in the [Mudug](/en/regions/mudug/) region ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). His family is Majeerteen (Darod). He learned the Qur'an from his father and herded camels as a boy ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirizak_Haji_Hussein)). In 1937 he went to school in Mogadishu. He was largely self-taught and spoke Italian and English (same source).

## The independence movement

He joined the [Somali Youth League](/en/history/somali-youth-league/) in 1944 ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). Under the [British Military Administration](/en/history/british-military-administration-1941-1950/) he served as an officer and interpreter. In 1950 he was jailed for six months for working for independence ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirizak_Haji_Hussein)). In June 1955 he took the League's petition to the United Nations (same source). Castagno records him as League president in 1955–1956 ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). He was elected to the National Assembly in 1959 (same source).

## Minister and prime minister

After 1960 he served as Minister of Interior, then of Public Works and Communications ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). After the March 1964 election, President [Aden Abdulle Osman](/en/people/aden-abdulle-osman/) named him prime minister ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirizak_Haji_Hussein)). He picked ministers on ability, without regard to place of origin (same source). His first cabinet lost a confidence vote by two votes. A second cabinet was approved, and he served until 1967 (same source). See [the civilian era, 1960 to 1969](/en/history/civilian-era-1960-1969/).

## Peaceful means on Greater Somalia

He supported the idea of a Greater Somalia but said it must be pursued by peaceful, constitutional means ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). He asked for UN plebiscites in Somali areas outside the republic. He also asked the Organisation of African Unity to send fact-finding missions (same source). Neither body acted on his request (same source).

## After 1969

After the October 1969 coup he was detained until 1973 ([Castagno 1975](https://archive.org/details/historical-dictionary-of-somalia-1)). From 1974 to 1979 he was Somalia's ambassador to the United Nations ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirizak_Haji_Hussein)). In later years he was asked several times to help reconcile Somali parties (same source).

## Death and honour

He died in Minneapolis on 31 January 2014 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirizak_Haji_Hussein)). The federal government held national memorial days. He was buried in Mogadishu's National Cemetery (same source).

## In short

Prime Minister from 1964 to 1967 and later Somalia's representative at the United Nations.

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