Safiya Hassan Sheikh Ali Jimale (Safiyo Xasan Sheekh Cali Jimcaale)

Who is she?

Safiya Hassan Sheikh Ali Jimale is a Somali politician (Wikipedia, Safiya Jimale). She was Mayor of Beledweyne, the main town of Hiiraan, from 27 May 2019 to 30 July 2020 (same source).

Mayor of Beledweyne

The HirShabelle state administration named her mayor in May 2019 (BBC Somali). She took over from Khadar Hassan Afrah, the previous mayor (same source). BBC Somali reported it was the first time, as far as is known, that a woman had become mayor of Beledweyne (same source). Africanews called her Somalia's first woman mayor (Africanews, 28 May 2019). Hiiraan Online also reported the appointment (Hiiraan Online, 27 May 2019).

Her work before

She told BBC Somali she had worked for two years in Shibis district of the Mogadishu (Banadir) administration (BBC Somali). She said she worked there on health, security and sanitation, and helped start an ambulance service in the district (same source). She said she was born in Mogadishu and her family comes from Beledweyne (same source). She pointed to Djibouti, where a woman then led the capital's city government, as an example (same source).

End of term

She was removed from the post at the end of July 2020 (Hiiraan Online, Keydmedia, 1 August 2020, Radio Muqdisho, 1 August 2020). Nadar Tabaax Maalin followed her as mayor (Wikipedia).

Family

She is a granddaughter of Sheikh Ali Jimale (This Is Africa, 4 June 2019). He served as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs during the trusteeship and in the early Somali Republic (Wikipedia).

In short

Mayor of Beledweyne from May 2019 to July 2020, and the first woman named to the post. See also Mayor of Mogadishu and other city lists.