Leaders and statesmen
Jama Ali Jama (Jaamac Cali Jaamac)
Jama Ali Jama (about 1939 to 13 December 2025) was a Somali army colonel and politician. He spent 11 years in prison under Siad Barre and was named a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. In November 2001 he was elected President of Puntland, but the outgoing president Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed rejected the vote, and Jama left office in May 2002. He later sat in the Transitional Federal Parliament.
Jama Ali JamaJaamac Cali Jaamac · Colonel Jama Ali Jama
- Lived
- c. 1939 to 2025-12-13
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 3 sources
Who was he?
Jama Ali Jama was a Somali army officer and politician (Wikipedia, Jama Ali Jama). He was elected President of Puntland in November 2001 and held the post until May 2002 (same source). Wikipedia's list of Puntland presidents notes that Somali media often do not count him in the list (Wikipedia, President of Puntland). This page records events without taking sides.
Early life and army
He was born around 1939 (Wikipedia). His family is Majeerteen (Darod), of the Osman Mahamoud branch (same source). He studied in Moscow and joined the Somali National Army, where he rose to colonel (same source). In the mid-1970s the Soviet Union promoted him as a leading voice of socialism in the Horn of Africa (same source).
Prison
The government of Siad Barre accused him of taking part in a coup attempt (Wikipedia). He was held in prison for 11 years (same source). Amnesty International recognised him as a prisoner of conscience (same source). See the Siad Barre era.
The Puntland dispute
In November 2001 he was elected President of Puntland (Wikipedia). The outgoing president, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, wanted his own term extended and rejected the result (same source). This became known as the Puntland crisis of 2001 and 2002 (same source). Abdullahi Yusuf said Jama backed the group Al-Itihaad Al-Islamiya (same source). In May 2002 Ethiopian troops helped Abdullahi Yusuf's forces take control, and Jama left office (same source). Fighting between forces loyal to the two men broke out again in January 2003 (same source). See the years 2000 to 2012.
Later life and death
He later became a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament (Wikipedia). He died in London on 13 December 2025 (same source). President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud led the national mourning (Eastleigh Voice, December 2025). Former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Puntland's president Said Abdullahi Deni also sent condolences (Wikipedia).
In short
An army colonel and former political prisoner who was elected President of Puntland in 2001, left office in 2002 after a dispute with Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, and later sat in the federal parliament.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Jama Ali Jama · en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, President of Puntland · en.wikipedia.org
- Eastleigh Voice, December 2025 · eastleighvoice.co.ke
Jama Ali JamaJaamac Cali Jaamac · Colonel Jama Ali Jama
- Lived
- c. 1939 to 2025-12-13
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 3 sources
Toosoo!
Calankii is made by Toosoo, which works for one united, prosperous Somalia.
Can you help with Jama Ali Jama (Jaamac Cali Jaamac)? Tell us what you can give.
I want to help with this
Where this matters
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
- Presidents of Somalia, 1960 to 2026Every president and acting president of Somalia from 1960 to 2026, with dates of office and links to each person's page.
- Prime Ministers of Somalia, 1956 to 2026Every Prime Minister and acting Prime Minister of Somalia from 1956 to 2026, with dates of office and links to each person's page.
- Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (Axmed Gurey)Imam Ahmad Gurey (about 1506–1543): leader of Adal in the war with Ethiopia, his life, the debate on his origin and how he is remembered.
- Aden Abdulle Osman (Aadan Cabdulle Cismaan, Aden Adde)Aden Adde (1908–2007), first President of the Somali Republic: his life, the Somali Youth League, 1960 and the peaceful handover of 1967.
- Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (Cabdirashiid Cali Sharmaarke)Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (1919–1969): first Prime Minister and second President of the Somali Republic, his life and his death in 1969.
- Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal)Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (1928–2002): Prime Minister in 1960 and 1967–69, President of Somaliland 1993–2002. His life and public roles.