Leaders and statesmen
Omar Arteh Ghalib (Cumar Carte Qaalib)
Omar Arteh Ghalib (1930–2020) was Somalia's Foreign Minister from 1969 to 1976 and its Prime Minister from January 1991 to 1993. As Foreign Minister he presided over the UN Security Council in January 1972, and Somalia joined the Arab League in 1974. He was detained from 1982 and sentenced to death in 1989; the sentence was commuted.
Omar Arteh GhalibCumar Carte Qaalib · Umar Arteh Ghalib
- Lived
- 1930 to 2020
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- Toward independence, 1920 to 1960; The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012
- Sources
- 4 sources
Who was he?
Omar Arteh Ghalib was one of the best-known Somali diplomats of the 1970s. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1969 to 1976 (Rulers.org, Foreign ministers S to Z). In January 1991, as the government collapsed, he became Prime Minister. World Statesmen dates that term from 24 January 1991 to May 1993 (World Statesmen, Somalia).
Early life and teaching
He was born in 1930 in British Somaliland (Wikipedia). He went to school in Hargeisa and Sheikh, and studied at the University of Bristol in England (Wikipedia, Umar Arteh Ghalib). He began as a schoolteacher and became headmaster of elementary schools in Laascaanood, Berbera and Hargeisa. Before leaving for Britain in 1956 he was vice-principal of Sheikh Intermediate School. On his return in 1958 he became the first principal of Gabiley Intermediate Boarding School (same source).
Foreign Minister, 1969 to 1976
After the 1969 coup he became Minister of Foreign Affairs (Wikipedia; Rulers.org). In January 1972 he was President of the United Nations Security Council. In 1972 he acted as a mediator between Uganda and Tanzania. Somalia joined the Arab League in 1974, during his time as Foreign Minister (Wikipedia). Mohamed Siad Barre took over the foreign ministry himself in 1976 (Rulers.org).
Detention, 1982 to 1990
Wikipedia records that he was dismissed in 1982 after disagreeing with the government's policy on the conflict in Ethiopia's Somali Region, and was then arrested (Wikipedia). SNA Radio lists him among the officials detained in 1982 together with Ismail Ali Abokor (SNA Radio, 31 August 2016). In 1989 he was tried for treason and sentenced to death. After protests from foreign governments the sentence was commuted, and he was kept under house arrest (Wikipedia).
Prime Minister, 1991 to 1993
On 24 January 1991, after two years of house arrest, President Siad Barre appointed him Prime Minister. Days later United Somali Congress forces took Mogadishu and Barre left the capital. Ali Mahdi Muhammad, who became interim President, reappointed him (Wikipedia; World Statesmen). World Statesmen lists him as a member of the United Somali Congress and dates his term to May 1993, and notes that he remained Prime Minister de facto until 3 January 1997 (same source).
He died on 18 November 2020 (Wikipedia).
Offices held
- First principal of Gabiley Intermediate Boarding School, 1958
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1969 to 1976. See Foreign Ministers of Somalia.
- President of the UN Security Council, January 1972
- Prime Minister, 24 January 1991 to May 1993. See Prime Ministers of Somalia.
Sources
- Rulers.org, Foreign ministers S to Z · rulers.org
- World Statesmen, Somalia · worldstatesmen.org
- Wikipedia, Umar Arteh Ghalib · en.wikipedia.org
- SNA Radio, 31 August 2016 · snaradio.net
Omar Arteh GhalibCumar Carte Qaalib · Umar Arteh Ghalib
- Lived
- 1930 to 2020
- Known as one of
- Leaders and statesmen
- Era
- Toward independence, 1920 to 1960; The Republic, 1960 to 1991; Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012
- Sources
- 4 sources
Toosoo!
Calankii is made by Toosoo, which works for one united, prosperous Somalia.
Can you help with Omar Arteh Ghalib (Cumar Carte Qaalib)? Tell us what you can give.
I want to help with this
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.
- 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.
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada11,610 people of Somali origin lived in Edmonton at the 2021 Census, Canada's second-largest Somali community. History, work, leaders and challenges.
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.