Leaders and statesmen
Abdirizak Haji Hussein (Cabdirisaaq Xaaji Xuseen)
Abdirizak Haji Hussein (1924–2014) was Prime Minister of the Somali Republic from 1964 to 1967. Born near Galkayo, he joined the Somali Youth League in 1944 and led it in the mid-1950s. As prime minister he chose ministers on ability, put internal development first, and asked for peaceful, UN-run votes on the Somali lands outside the republic.
Abdirizak Haji HusseinAbdirazak Haji Hussein · Cabdirisaaq Xaaji Xuseen
- Lived
- 1924 to 2014
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- Toward independence, 1920 to 1960; The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
Who was he?
Abdirizak Haji Hussein was a Somali politician and diplomat. He was Prime Minister of the Somali Republic from June 1964 to 1967 (Castagno, Historical Dictionary of Somalia, 1975, "Abdirazak Haji Hussein"). He is remembered for pushing to make state institutions more accountable (Wikipedia, Abdirizak Haji Hussein).
Early life
He was born in 1924 near Galkayo in the Mudug region (Castagno 1975). His family is Majeerteen (Darod). He learned the Qur'an from his father and herded camels as a boy (Wikipedia). 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 in 1944 (Castagno 1975). Under the British Military Administration he served as an officer and interpreter. In 1950 he was jailed for six months for working for independence (Wikipedia). 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). 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). After the March 1964 election, President Aden Abdulle Osman named him prime minister (Wikipedia). 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.
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). 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). From 1974 to 1979 he was Somalia's ambassador to the United Nations (Wikipedia). 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). 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.
Sources
- Castagno, Historical Dictionary of Somalia, 1975, "Abdirazak Haji Hussein" · archive.org
- Wikipedia, Abdirizak Haji Hussein · en.wikipedia.org
Abdirizak Haji HusseinAbdirazak Haji Hussein · Cabdirisaaq Xaaji Xuseen
- Lived
- 1924 to 2014
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- Toward independence, 1920 to 1960; The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
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Where this matters
Same era
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- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- Presidents of Somalia, 1960 to 2026Every president and acting president of Somalia from 1960 to 2026, with dates of office and links to each person's page.
- Prime Ministers of Somalia, 1956 to 2026Every Prime Minister and acting Prime Minister of Somalia from 1956 to 2026, with dates of office and links to each person's page.
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- Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (Cabdirashiid Cali Sharmaarke)Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (1919–1969): first Prime Minister and second President of the Somali Republic, his life and his death in 1969.
- Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal)Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (1928–2002): Prime Minister in 1960 and 1967–69, President of Somaliland 1993–2002. His life and public roles.