# Ismail Ali Abokor (Ismaaciil Cali Abokor)

> Ismail Ali Abokor (born 1937): Sandhurst-trained officer, member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, Vice President from 1971 and Speaker of the People's Assembly 1979 to 1982.

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Last checked: 2026-11-12
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## Who is he?

Ismail Ali Abokor was one of the army officers who took power in the coup of 21 October 1969 and sat on the [Supreme Revolutionary Council](/en/history/somali-democratic-republic-1969-1991/) ([Wikipedia, Ismail Ali Abokor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_Ali_Abokor)). He became one of the country's vice presidents in 1971. In 1979 he became the first Speaker of the new People's Assembly ([SNA Radio, biography, 31 August 2016](http://snaradio.net/so/articles/1603/Taariikh-nololeedkii-S-Guuto-Ismaaciil-Cali-Obokor)).

## Early life and military training

He was born in [Burao](/en/regions/togdheer/), in the Togdheer region, in 1937, and went to primary school there ([SNA Radio, biography, 31 August 2016](http://snaradio.net/so/articles/1603/Taariikh-nololeedkii-S-Guuto-Ismaaciil-Cali-Obokor); Wikipedia). After secondary school he went to Britain for military training. SNA Radio records that he trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1958 (same source). He came home in 1960 as one of the first officers trained for the northern part of the country. In 1961 he became deputy commander of the officers' training school (same source).

## Army career, 1961 to 1969

Wikipedia records that in 1962 he headed an army unit, and in 1963 he became deputy commander of a battalion in Kismayo. He later commanded a battalion in Kismayo. In 1967 he became chief instructor at the Halane training school in Mogadishu ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_Ali_Abokor)).

## Supreme Revolutionary Council, 1969 to 1982

As a lieutenant colonel he took part in the coup of October 1969 that brought [Mohamed Siad Barre](/en/people/siad-barre/) to power, and joined the Supreme Revolutionary Council (Wikipedia). SNA Radio records that in 1970 he was named Minister of Information and National Guidance, and that in 1971 he became the council's third vice president ([SNA Radio, biography, 31 August 2016](http://snaradio.net/so/articles/1603/Taariikh-nololeedkii-S-Guuto-Ismaaciil-Cali-Obokor)). In 1974 he chaired the council's committee on politics and social affairs. In 1976 he became a brigadier general and an assistant secretary general of the new Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (same source).

## Speaker of the People's Assembly, 1979 to 1982

When the People's Assembly was set up under the 1979 constitution, he became its first Speaker ([SNA Radio, biography, 31 August 2016](http://snaradio.net/so/articles/1603/Taariikh-nololeedkii-S-Guuto-Ismaaciil-Cali-Obokor)). He held the post from 5 August 1979 to 26 January 1982 ([Wikipedia, List of speakers of the Parliament of Somalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_speakers_of_the_Parliament_of_Somalia)).

## Detention and later life

In 1982 he was arrested. SNA Radio records that the government accused him of treason and of plotting a coup. Others detained with him included [Omar Arteh Ghalib](/en/people/omar-arteh-ghalib/) and [General Omar Haji](/en/people/omar-haji-masale/) Masale. He was held until 1988 ([SNA Radio, biography, 31 August 2016](http://snaradio.net/so/articles/1603/Taariikh-nololeedkii-S-Guuto-Ismaaciil-Cali-Obokor)). After his release he joined the Somali National Movement (Wikipedia). He later moved to the [United Arab Emirates](/en/relations/uae/) (same source).

## Offices held

- Member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, 1969 to 1982
- Minister of Information and National Guidance, from 1970
- Vice President, from 1971
- Speaker of the People's Assembly, 5 August 1979 to 26 January 1982. See [Speakers of Parliament](/en/institutions/speakers-of-parliament/).

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