# Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam (Fowsiyo Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan)

> Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam: Somalia's first woman Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, 2012 to 2014.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/fawzia-yusuf-adam/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who is she?

Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam is a Somali politician ([Wikipedia, Fawzia Yusuf Adam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawzia_Yusuf_Adam)). She was the first woman to serve as Somalia's foreign minister ([Al Jazeera, 5 November 2012](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/11/5/somalia-prime-minister-unveils-leaner-cabinet)). This page covers her public role.

## Background

She comes from Hargeisa and lived for a long time in Britain ([Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/11/5/somalia-prime-minister-unveils-leaner-cabinet)). See [Somaliland, 1991 to 2026](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) and [Somalis in London](/en/diaspora/london/).

## A first for Somali women

On 4 November 2012, Prime Minister [Abdi Farah Shirdon](/en/people/abdi-farah-shirdon/) named her Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawzia_Yusuf_Adam)). His cabinet had only ten members ([Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/11/5/somalia-prime-minister-unveils-leaner-cabinet)). She called her nomination "historic for the Somali country and particularly for the women of Somalia" (same source). See [women in Somali society](/en/society/women-in-somali-society/).

## Bringing state property home

After 1991, many Somali state assets abroad were frozen to stop misuse ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawzia_Yusuf_Adam)). In November 2012 the government asked the UN Security Council for help to recover them (same source). In January 2013 she and other ministers began a formal review. The assets included ships and planes thought to be in Italy, Germany and Yemen (same source).

## Reopening embassies

In May 2013 she signed an agreement with the UAE foreign minister that restored formal ties ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawzia_Yusuf_Adam)). The UAE said it would reopen its embassy in Mogadishu (same source). In September 2013 [Somalia and China](/en/relations/china/) signed a cooperation agreement (same source). China would help rebuild the National Theatre, a hospital and [Mogadishu Stadium](/en/society/sport-in-somalia/), and reopen its embassy (same source).

## After office

Her term ended on 17 January 2014, when a new prime minister formed a cabinet ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawzia_Yusuf_Adam)). She stood as a presidential candidate in 2022 (same source). In January 2024 Somalia nominated her to chair the African Union Commission (same source).

## In short

Somalia's first woman foreign minister and deputy prime minister, from 2012 to 2014.

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