![MogadishuHeadquarters](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/MogadishuHeadquarters.jpeg)
The Mayor of Mogadishu is head of the executive branch of
Mogadishu
Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
, the
capital
Capital may refer to:
Common uses
* Capital city, a municipality of primary status
** List of national capital cities
* Capital letter, an upper-case letter Economics and social sciences
* Capital (economics), the durable produced goods used f ...
of
Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...
. The
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...
's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces laws within the city. Mayor
Omar Muhamoud Finnish
Omar Mohamud Mohamed ( so, Cumar Maxamuud Maxamed) is a Somali politician and former warlord known as Omar Finnish (sometimes spelled Filish). He is the former Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banaadir. He was appointed on 22 August 2019 by Soma ...
was appointed on 22 August 2019 and succeeded the Martyr Mayor
Abdirahman Omar Osman
Abdirahman Omar Osman (also known as Abdirahman Yariisow and Engineer Yarisow; 16 August 1965 – 1 August 2019) was a Somali politician who was the Governor of Banaadir and Mayor of Mogadishu. Abdirahman Omar Osman, also known as Eng. Yarisow, ...
, who died on 1 August 2019 from a suicide bombing that occurred 24 July 2019 inside the mayor's office.
The mayor's office is located in
Mogadishu City Hall
Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
, which was recently renovated after years of abandonment and decay during the
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War ( so, Dagaalkii Sokeeye ee Soomaaliya; ar, الحرب الأهلية الصومالية ) is an ongoing civil war that is taking place in Somalia. It grew out of resistance to the Military dictatorship, military junta wh ...
. The mayor is not elected, but is appointed by the
President of Somalia
The president of Somalia ( so, Madaxaweynaha Soomaaliya) is the head of state of Somalia. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The president represents the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Republic of Somal ...
. The mayor also holds the title of Governor of
Benaadir, an administrative region whose territory is coextensive with the city of Mogadishu.
History of the office
The first mayor of Mogadishu was
Romeo Campani, an Italian expatriate who was appointed by General
Rodolfo Graziani
Rodolfo Graziani, 1st Marquis of Neghelli (; 11 August 1882 – 11 January 1955), was a prominent Italian military officer in the Kingdom of Italy's '' Regio Esercito'' ("Royal Army"), primarily noted for his campaigns in Africa before and durin ...
, the
Governor of Italian Somaliland. Beginning in 1953 with the appointment of
Cali Cumar Sheegow, the office of mayor has been held by native Somalis. After Somalian independence from Italy in 1960, the mayor has been appointed by the
President of Somalia
The president of Somalia ( so, Madaxaweynaha Soomaaliya) is the head of state of Somalia. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The president represents the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Republic of Somal ...
.
List of mayors
Colonial mayors and first somali mayor in colonial era
The following mayors of Mogadishu were appointed by the
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
of
Italian Somaliland
Italian Somalia ( it, Somalia Italiana; ar, الصومال الإيطالي, Al-Sumal Al-Italiy; so, Dhulka Talyaaniga ee Soomaalida), was a protectorate and later colony of the Kingdom of Italy in present-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th centur ...
. From 1941 to 1949, resulting from
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the British occupied the territory and appointed the mayors, who remained Italians. Beginning in 1953, native Somalis were appointed to the office.
Post-independence mayors
Since Somalia's independence on 1 July 1960, mayors of Mogadishu have been appointed by the
President of Somalia
The president of Somalia ( so, Madaxaweynaha Soomaaliya) is the head of state of Somalia. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The president represents the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Republic of Somal ...
:
Vice mayors
![2016 11 Workshop on 16 Days of Activism-7 (31536506976)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/2016_11_Workshop_on_16_Days_of_Activism-7_%2831536506976%29.jpg)
The mayor of Mogadishu is assisted by a vice mayor or deputy mayor. The current vice mayor is
Iman Nur Ikar.
Notable former vice mayors
*
Hassan Haji Mohamoud
Hassan Haji Mohamoud, also known as Hassan Gadhweyneh, is a Somali politician, the longest serving Minister of Education of Somaliland (2003-2010), the Mayor of Berbera (1998-2003), Governor of Sahil region of Somaliland from (1998-2003). He a ...
(1982–1991)
Living former mayors
Living former mayors of Mogadishu include:
Hassan Mohamed Hussein,
Hassan Abshir Farah,
Yusuf Hussein Jimaale
Yusuf Hussein Jimaale ( so, Yuusuf Hussein Jimcaale; ar, قبل حسين يوسف) is the former Mayor of Mogadishu and the Governor of the Banadir region. He was formerly the Secretary of the Peace and Development Party. He assumed office on No ...
, and
Mohamed Nur
Mohamoud Ahmed Nur ( so, Maxamed Nuur, ar, محمد نور) is a Somali politician. He served as the Mayor of Mogadishu from 2010 to 27 February 2014.
Background
Personal life
Nur was born to a family from the Udejeen sub-clan of the Hawiye.
...
.
In popular culture
Towards the end of the
Somali Rebellion
The Somali Rebellion was the beginning of the civil war in Somalia that occurred in the 1980s and early 1990s. The rebellion started in 1978 when President Siad Barre began using his special forces, the "Red Berets" (''Duub Cas''), to attac ...
, President
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre ( so, Maxamed Siyaad Barre, Osmanya script: ; ar, محمد سياد بري; c. 1910 – 2 January 1995) was a Somali head of state and general who served as the 3rd president of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 199 ...
was sometimes mockingly referred to by many as the "Mayor of Mogadishu," based on the fact that Barre controlled little territory outside the capital. By 1989, when the
United Somali Congress
The United Somali Congress (USC) was one of the major rebel organizations in Somalia. Formed in 1987, it played a leading role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre in 1991, and became a target of the Unified Task Force campaign in 19 ...
had captured most surrounding towns and villages, this had become a common saying in Somalia, and on 29 September 1990, the British newspaper ''
The Economist
''The Economist'' is a British weekly newspaper printed in demitab format and published digitally. It focuses on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture. Based in London, the newspaper is owned by The Econo ...
'' used the phrase in reference to Barre.
During the early 1990s, after the overthrow of the Siad regime and during the
Somali famine,
Dan Eldon, a British photojournalist who covered the famine and conflict, became popular among Mogadishans that he was nicknamed the "Mayor of Mogadishu."
See also
*
Politics of Somalia
The politics of Somalia takes place in a framework of federal parliamentary republic. According to the Constitution of Somalia, the President of Somalia is head of state, and Prime Minister as head of government who is appointed by the President ...
References
{{reflist, 30em
*
Lists of mayors
1936 establishments in the Italian Empire
Mogadishu