Abdisalam Abdi Ali
Abdisalam Abdi Ali | |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internatioal Cooperation | |
| Assumed office 3 May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Moalim Fiqi |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Justice and Solidarity Party |
Abdisalam Abdi Ali is a Somali politician serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia since May 2025 to present. He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia[1] and as Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing. He is a member of the 11th Federal Parliament of Somalia.
Early life and education
Abdisalam Abdi Ali studied Healthcare Administration as his major, with a minor in Business Management and Administration at the University of Toledo. He later completed an executive education program in Global Business and Politics at the Yale School of Management.[2]
Career
Private sector career
Before entering public service, Abdisalam Abdi Ali worked in the private sector, where he founded and managed companies in the healthcare and logistics sectors. His work involved business development, financial oversight, and operational management.
Political Career
Abdisalam Abdi Ali was elected as a member of the 11th Federal Parliament of Somalia, where he served on the Committee for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries.
He later served as Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing, where he was involved in infrastructure development and reconstruction efforts.
He subsequently served as Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, contributing to national development and government coordination.
He currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, having been appointed in a 2025 Somalia cabinet reshuffle overseeing Somalia’s diplomatic relations and international partnerships.[3]
Tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
During his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Somalia expanded its diplomatic engagement and participation in regional and continental institutions.
Somalia was elected to the African Union Peace and Security Council, increasing its role in regional peace and security decision-making within the African Union.[4]
Somalia also formally acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), becoming the 45th member state. The accession was formalized during the 35th Ordinary Session of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government, where the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.[5]
During the same period, Somalia concluded a number of visa-waiver agreements for holders of Somali diplomatic passports, facilitating official travel [6] and strengthening bilateral relations expanding Somalia Diplomatic Visa Agreements.[7]
Countries with visa-waiver arrangements for Somali diplomatic passport holders include:
- Algeria
- Azerbaijan
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Indonesia
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Türkiye
- Uganda
During this period, Somalia’s passport ranking showed measurable improvement. According to the Henley Passport Index, Somalia’s passport ranking improved from 101st in 2016 to 95th in 2025, with Somali citizens able to access more than 30 destinations without a prior visa.[5]
These developments have been associated with increased diplomatic engagement and the expansion of bilateral agreements aimed at facilitating mobility and international cooperation.[8]
Policy and focus areas
Abdisalam Abdi Ali has been involved in policy areas including infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, and institutional reform, with a focus on strengthening governance systems and supporting economic development.
His work has also intersected with Somalia’s ongoing constitutional review process, which aims to transition the country toward a more inclusive and citizen-centred democratic system, with an increased emphasis on electoral legitimacy.
He has also been involved in humanitarian coordination related to drought response. In 2026, he visited the drought-affected district of Diinsoor in the Bay region, where he oversaw the distribution of emergency assistance, including food aid to approximately 500 families, as well as the provision of medical supplies and support to local health services.[9]
Personal life
Abdisalam Abdi Ali is fluent in Somali and English. His professional background includes work in both the private and public sectors, with experience in international engagement through his education and government service.
His academic training in the United States and participation in executive education at the Yale School of Management have been associated with his involvement in policy and diplomatic affairs.[2]
References
- ^ "Somalia's PM appoints second deputy PM, creating new senior role | Somali Guardian". 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ a b "Minister – MFA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation". Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ "Somali prime minister reshuffles cabinet, appoints new foreign and defense ministers". Hiiraan Online. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ "TRT Afrika - Somalia elected to Africa Union security council for first time". www.trtafrika.com. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ a b "Somalia Becomes 45th AU Member State to Accede to the APRM". African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). 2026-02-16. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ "Somalia and Pakistan scrap diplomatic visa requirements to boost bilateral ties". Hiiraan Online. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ "TRT Afrika - How Somali passport is gaining strength in global rankings". www.trtafrika.com. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ Osman (2025-08-04). "H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali Dhaay: Driving Somalia's Diplomatic Renewal and International Partnerships". Somali National News Agency. Retrieved 2026-03-21.
- ^ Dawan Africa. “Somali Foreign Minister Visits Drought-hit Bay Region to Deliver Aid.” https://www.dawan.africa/news/somali-foreign-minister-visits-drought-hit-bay-region-to-deliver-aid