Women who led
Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam (Fowsiyo Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan)
Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam is a Somali politician from Hargeisa who became Somalia's first woman Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, serving from 4 November 2012 to 17 January 2014. In office she started the recovery of Somali state assets held abroad and signed agreements that reopened the UAE and Chinese embassies in Mogadishu.
Fawzia Yusuf Haji AdamFowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan · Fowsiyo Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan
- Known as one of
- Women who led
- Era
- Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
Who is she?
Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam is a Somali politician (Wikipedia, Fawzia Yusuf Adam). She was the first woman to serve as Somalia's foreign minister (Al Jazeera, 5 November 2012). This page covers her public role.
Background
She comes from Hargeisa and lived for a long time in Britain (Al Jazeera). See Somaliland, 1991 to 2026 and Somalis in London.
A first for Somali women
On 4 November 2012, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon named her Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister (Wikipedia). His cabinet had only ten members (Al Jazeera). She called her nomination "historic for the Somali country and particularly for the women of Somalia" (same source). See women in Somali society.
Bringing state property home
After 1991, many Somali state assets abroad were frozen to stop misuse (Wikipedia). 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). The UAE said it would reopen its embassy in Mogadishu (same source). In September 2013 Somalia and China signed a cooperation agreement (same source). China would help rebuild the National Theatre, a hospital and Mogadishu Stadium, and reopen its embassy (same source).
After office
Her term ended on 17 January 2014, when a new prime minister formed a cabinet (Wikipedia). 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.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Fawzia Yusuf Adam · en.wikipedia.org
- Al Jazeera, 5 November 2012 · aljazeera.com
Fawzia Yusuf Haji AdamFowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan · Fowsiyo Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan
- Known as one of
- Women who led
- Era
- Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
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Where this matters
- Muqdisho (Mogadishu) and BanaadirMogadishu (Muqdisho) is Somalia's capital and makes up the Banadir region, with about 2.97 million people in 20 districts.
- Hargeysa (Hargeisa) and Woqooyi GalbeedWoqooyi Galbeed is the north-western region that holds Hargeisa (Hargeysa) and the port of Berbera, with about 1 to 1.45 million people.
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- 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
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- Hawo Tako (Xaawo Taako)Hawo Tako (Xaawo Taako), the Somali Youth League member who died in Mogadishu in January 1948 and is remembered as a national heroine.
- Asha Haji Elmi (Caasha Xaaji Cilmi)Asha Haji Elmi, born 1962: founder of the Sixth Clan women's movement, peace negotiator, MP and 2008 Right Livelihood laureate.
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- Dr Hawa Abdi (Xaawo Cabdi Dhiblaawe)Dr Hawa Abdi (1947–2020): doctor and lawyer whose clinic near Afgooye became a hospital and a refuge for 90,000 people.
- Fadumo Dayib (Faadumo Daayib)Fadumo Dayib (born 1972): former refugee, nurse and UN health expert, first woman to run for President of Somalia (2016).