# Saad Ali Shire (Saacad Cali Shire)

> Saad Ali Shire: Somaliland's Minister of Planning 2010 to 2015, Foreign Minister 2015 to 2018 and Finance Minister 2018 to 2024.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/saad-ali-shire/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who is he?

Saad Ali Shire held three senior posts in [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/)'s government over fourteen years: planning, foreign affairs and finance ([Wikipedia, Saad Ali Shire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saad_Ali_Shire)). He served under two presidents, [Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud](/en/people/ahmed-mohamed-mohamoud-silanyo/) "Silanyo" and [Muse Bihi Abdi](/en/people/muse-bihi-abdi/).

## Early life and education

He was born in [Burao](/en/regions/togdheer/) (Wikipedia). He studied agriculture at the Somali National University in Mogadishu, then earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Havana in Cuba. He completed a master's degree and a PhD in agricultural economics at Pennsylvania State University in the United States. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in Islamic banking (same source).

## Career before government

He lectured at the College of Agriculture of the Somali National University and worked for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and at the World Bank's headquarters in Washington (Wikipedia). Before entering government he was managing director for the UK and Europe of [Dahabshiil](/en/economy/hawala-and-money-transfer-companies/) Transfer Services, a money transfer company (same source). Wikipedia lists him as a founding member of several institutions, including the [University of Hargeisa](/en/institutions/main-universities/), the [University of Burao](/en/institutions/university-of-burao/) and the Somaliland Society of Agriculture (same source).

## Minister of Planning, 2010 to 2015

After the Kulmiye party won the 2010 presidential election, President Silanyo named him Minister of Planning and National Development on 28 July 2010 ([Daljir, 28 July 2010](https://www.daljir.com/mweyne-siilaanyo-oo-magacaabay-golihiisa-wasiirada-oo-ka-kooban-20-wasiir-6-wasiir-ku-xigeen/); Wikipedia).

## Foreign Minister, 2015 to 2018

When [Mohamed Bihi Yonis](/en/people/mohamed-yonis/) resigned in 2015, Shire became Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Wikidata dates his appointment to 28 October 2015 ([Wikidata, Q84172232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q84172232)). He kept the post after Muse Bihi Abdi became President in December 2017 (Wikipedia).

## Minister of Finance, 2018 to 2024

In President Bihi's first cabinet reshuffle, in November 2018, he moved to the Ministry of Finance Development ([Horn Diplomat, 10 November 2018](https://www.horndiplomat.com/2018/11/10/somaliland-president-makes-first-cabinet-reshuffle)). He held the post until 2024, when Abdilahi Hassan Aadam succeeded him ([Wikipedia, Ministry of Finance (Somaliland)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Finance_(Somaliland))).

## Offices held

- Minister of Planning and National Development, 28 July 2010 to 2015
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, 28 October 2015 to 10 November 2018. See [Foreign Ministers of Somaliland](/en/institutions/foreign-ministers-of-somaliland/).
- Minister of Finance Development, November 2018 to 2024. See [Finance Ministers of Somaliland](/en/institutions/finance-ministers-of-somaliland/).

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