# Hamza Abdi Barre (Xamse Cabdi Barre)

> Hamza Abdi Barre: Prime Minister of Somalia since June 2022, educator and co-founder of Kismayo University.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/hamza-abdi-barre/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who is he?

Hamza Abdi Barre is a Somali politician who has been prime minister since 2022 ([Wikipedia, Hamza Abdi Barre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Abdi_Barre)). This page records his public role only. It takes no side in Somali party politics.

## Early life and teaching

Wikipedia says he was born in Nogob, in the Somali Region of Ethiopia ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Abdi_Barre)). His family is Ogaden (Darod) (same source). He earned a bachelor's degree in Yemen in 2001 and a master's degree in Malaysia in 2009 (same source). He ran a private school network in Mogadishu in 2003–2004 (same source).

## Kismayo University

In August 2005 he co-founded [Kismayo University](/en/institutions/kismayo-university/) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Abdi_Barre)). He taught for many years in Kismayo and Mogadishu, and became a senior lecturer at [Mogadishu University](/en/institutions/main-universities/) (same source). See [universities in Somalia](/en/society/universities-in-somalia/).

## Into public office

From 2011 to 2017 he was secretary-general of a political party led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Abdi_Barre)). He advised the Banadir administration in 2014–2015 (same source). From 2019 to 2020 he chaired the [Jubaland](/en/states/jubaland/) electoral commission (same source). On 28 December 2021 he was elected to the House of the People for [Afmadow](/en/regions/lower-juba/) (same source).

## Prime minister

President [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/) nominated him on 15 June 2022 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Abdi_Barre)). Parliament approved him on 25 June by 229 votes to 7 (same source).

## Record in office

A June 2026 review lists about $4.5 billion of debt relief in December 2023 ([Citizen Digital, 17 June 2026](https://citizen.digital/article/mixed-bag-for-somalia-pm-barre-in-four-year-stretch-n384810)). It also notes a national digital ID and biometric payroll (same source). The UN arms embargo was lifted in 2023, and Somalia joined the East African Community (same source). Somalia sits on the UN Security Council for 2025–2026 (same source). The same review lists ongoing attacks, disputes with some federal member states, and droughts and floods (same source). See [the timeline from 2012 to 2026](/en/history/timeline-2012-to-2026/).

## Debate

Remarks he made on Gaza in November 2023 drew wide criticism abroad ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Abdi_Barre)).

## In short

A teacher and co-founder of a university in Kismayo who became Prime Minister in June 2022.

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