Ahmed Isse Awad

Ahmed isse Awad was born in Garowe, 1955, Awad hails from Isse Mohamoud sub-clan of Majeerteen, Ahmed Isse Awad is married to Sarah Ashraf, and together they have a daughter.

Thabo Mbeki (left), and Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad (right), meet in the VIP lounge at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia on 20 July 2019.

Afterward, Awad pursued further education in Africa, obtaining a master's degree in managing peace and security in Africa from the Addis Ababa Institute for Peace and Security Studies. Upon completing his studies, Awad began his career in public service and diplomacy. He served as the chief of staff to Somalia's Prime Minister, primarily working with Prime Minister Hassan Abshir Farah, from 2001 to 2004. During his tenure, he played an active role in the Somali peace talks held in 2003–04 in Kenya, aimed at resolving the country's protracted conflicts. Unfortunately, these talks did not yield the desired outcome of sustainable peace.[4]

Following his time in Somalia's government, Awad joined the United Nations and engaged in peacekeeping missions in Sudan for almost a decade. He served in various locations, including Abyei, Kaduqli, and Darfur, where he contributed to efforts aimed at promoting stability and security in the region.

While Awad was a potential candidate for Somalia's prime minister position in 2014, the appointment ultimately went to his predecessor in Washington, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. However, in the following year, Awad was entrusted with establishing the Somali embassy, Awad's extensive experience in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and public service has positioned him as an influential figure in Somali politics and international relations, particularly during his tenure as Somalia's ambassador to the United States, where he presented his credentials to President Obama on September 17, 2015.[4]

Previously, Somalia's embassy had been abandoned since 1991, and the property was sold by the U.S. State Department, with the funds held in escrow for the Somali government. These funds are now being used for renting office space in the capital.[4]

April 20, 2018, Somalia's foreign minister has called on Dubai's state-owned port operator, DP World, to reconsider its contract with the breakaway region of Somaliland and work with federal authorities to avoid violating Somalia's sovereignty. The foreign minister stated that DP World's agreement with Somaliland's Berbera port bypassed Somalia's legitimate authority, leading to unresolved disagreements. Meanwhile, a DP World spokesperson mentioned that construction in Somaliland and Puntland, another semi-autonomous region, was on schedule. The comments come amid a diplomatic dispute between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates, where DP World is based. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have influence in Somalia, countered by Qatar and Turkey's support. The dispute risks worsening an already volatile security situation in the region. Somalia's parliament recently passed a resolution declaring DP World's contract with Somaliland null and void, but Somaliland's president stated it would not affect the deal. Somalia's federal government wants DP World to engage with Mogadishu instead of Somaliland. The minister expressed hope for normalized relations with the UAE and a resolution of misunderstandings through open discussions.[1]

He served as Somali minister of foreign affairs till resignation.[5][6][7]