Public life today
Hamza Abdi Barre (Xamse Cabdi Barre)
Hamza Abdi Barre (born 1972 or 1973) has been Prime Minister of Somalia since 25 June 2022, under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Before politics he was a teacher and lecturer, and in 2005 he co-founded Kismayo University. He was elected MP for Afmadow in 2021. His period in office has seen debt relief in 2023 and Somalia's entry to the East African Community.
Hamza Abdi BarreXamse Cabdi Barre · Hamza Barre
- Lived
- 1972 or 1973 to today
- Known as one of
- Public life today
- Era
- Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
Who is he?
Hamza Abdi Barre is a Somali politician who has been prime minister since 2022 (Wikipedia, 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). 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 (Wikipedia). He taught for many years in Kismayo and Mogadishu, and became a senior lecturer at Mogadishu University (same source). See universities in Somalia.
Into public office
From 2011 to 2017 he was secretary-general of a political party led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Wikipedia). He advised the Banadir administration in 2014–2015 (same source). From 2019 to 2020 he chaired the Jubaland electoral commission (same source). On 28 December 2021 he was elected to the House of the People for Afmadow (same source).
Prime minister
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud nominated him on 15 June 2022 (Wikipedia). 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). 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.
Debate
Remarks he made on Gaza in November 2023 drew wide criticism abroad (Wikipedia).
In short
A teacher and co-founder of a university in Kismayo who became Prime Minister in June 2022.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Hamza Abdi Barre · en.wikipedia.org
- Citizen Digital, 17 June 2026 · citizen.digital
Hamza Abdi BarreXamse Cabdi Barre · Hamza Barre
- Lived
- 1972 or 1973 to today
- Known as one of
- Public life today
- Era
- Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 2 sources
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Where this matters
Same era
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- 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.
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- 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
- Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud)Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, born 1955: educator, SIMAD co-founder, President of Somalia 2012–2017 and again from 2022.
- Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro (Cabdiraxmaan Cirro)Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi 'Irro', born 1956: diplomat in Moscow, Somaliland speaker, Waddani leader and President since December 2024.
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- Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf (Cabdulqawi Axmed Yuusuf)Abdulqawi Yusuf: Somali judge of the International Court of Justice 2009–2025 and its President 2018–2021.
- Dileita Mohamed DileitaDileita Mohamed Dileita (born 1959): diplomat, Prime Minister of Djibouti 2001 to 2013, and later African Union envoy.