MOGADISHU, Somalia – On a humid Wednesday morning in Mogadishu, the halls of Somalia’s Parliament were filled with a rare sense of anticipation. Lawmakers from both Houses convened in a joint session, led by Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Noor (Madobe), to make history: selecting Somalia’s first-ever representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
The vote marked more than a procedural milestone. It was a declaration of Somalia’s return to regional engagement after decades of conflict, political fragmentation, and state rebuilding. Somalia, the newest member of the East African Community (EAC), joined the bloc in 2023, signaling its ambition to reconnect with its neighbors and play a role in shaping the legislative and economic direction of East Africa.
The nine elected delegates are a reflection of Somalia’s diverse talent and resilience: seasoned diplomats, public servants, development experts, and reform-minded professionals who have navigated the challenges of conflict, displacement, and state reconstruction.
Among them is Dr. Abdisalam Hadliye Omar, a veteran diplomat and economist. Born in 1954 in Borama, in what is now self-declared Somaliland, Omar has long been at the heart of Somalia’s international engagement. He served as Governor of the Central Bank and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and most recently as the presidential envoy to the EAC. His career embodies the delicate balancing act of representing a nation whose unity is often contested.
Ambassador Abukar Ali Mardaadi, another delegate, has worn many hats: Somalia’s ambassador to Malaysia, a former minister of Defense, Agriculture, and Environment, and a United Nations political affairs officer. Faisal Abdi Roble, a Horn of Africa expert and former equity officer in Los Angeles, brings an international lens on governance and federalism.
Female representation is strong among Somalia’s delegation. Ambassador Fatuma Abdullahi Insaniya made history as Somalia’s first female ambassador to the United States, later serving in India, while Ambassador Sahra Ali Hassan has led Somalia’s diplomatic engagement in Tanzania and Rwanda. Ilhan Ali Gassar, a peacebuilding advocate, has championed gender-sensitive development leadership across the Horn of Africa.
Other delegates, including Abdirahman Bashir Sharif, a senior advisor at the World Bank, and Fahma Ahmed Noor, Somalia’s deputy justice minister, bring expertise in public policy, finance, and legal reform, reflecting the delegation’s blend of technical skill and political experience.
The election of Somalia’s EALA representatives signals more than regional integration. It represents a step toward stability, a commitment to dialogue, and a vision of Somalia that is not defined solely by its conflicts but by its capacity to engage, lead, and shape the future of East Africa.
As the Arusha-based assembly prepares to welcome its newest Somali members, the world will watch closely: can Somalia translate decades of fragility into a voice that resonates across the East African region? For these nine delegates, the challenge is immense—but so is the opportunity.
