Istanbul/ Garowe (Idil News) – Mohamed Ali Yusuf “Gaagaab,” a statesman Somali politician and senator in the Upper House of Somalia’s Federal Parliament, passed away on December 3, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey. his family and fellow lawmakers confirmed. He was 80.
Background and life
Mohamed Ali Yusuf was born on January 2, 1944, in Goodbjiiran district in Nugaal region of Puntland.
Most of his time is spent in Galkayo. He hailed from the Omar Mohamoud sub-clan of the Majeerteen, a lineage that shaped much of his political career and affiliations.
During the Somali Democratic Republic
Gaagaab’s political journey began under the Somali Democratic Republic during the Siad Barre era. Following the Majeerteen genocide in 1978, he was imprisoned for his family’s alignment with the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) a paramilitary group opposed to Barre’s regime. This period solidified Gaagaab’s resilience and later influenced his advocacy for regional self-governance.
Puntland
After the collapse of Somalia’s central government, Gaagaab joined the founders in Puntland’s administration in August 1998. He held several high-ranking positions, including Director General, Vice Minister, and Full Minister in Puntland’s government.
In October 2004, after his clanmate Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed became President of Somalia, Gaagaab assumed the Vice Presidency of Puntland under President Mohamed Hashi. Although his tenure lasted only a few months, from October 2004 to January 2005, he left a notable contribution. When Puntland’s leadership transitioned, Gaagaab served as Minister of Finance under President Mohamud Muse Hersi, managing critical fiscal policies during a period of state-building.
Somalia’s Federal Government
In 2022, Gaagaab was elected to Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament and held interim Speaker as the oldest senator from representing Puntland. As a senator constituted Galkayo of Mudug and he became a vocal advocate for federalism and the rights of member states within Somalia’s presidential election in 2022.
In November 2024, Gaagaab joined 25 other lawmakers from Puntland to issue a statement opposing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s unilateral amendments to the Federal Constitution. He was a strong proponent of the 2012 Provisional Constitution, which he viewed as a cornerstone of Somalia’s federal governance.
Legacy and Death
Gaagaab was affected by age-related illness and passed away on December 3, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey, at the age of 80. His death was confirmed by his family and colleagues in the Upper House of Parliament.
Puntland’s incumbent President Said Abdullahi Deni, Vice President Ilyas Lugator, and former Puntland leaders, including Presidents Abdirahman Farole and Abdiweli Gaas, expressed their condolences. Senior Puntland politicians and federal officials hailed his contributions to Somalia’s political stability and regional development.
Gaagaab’s passing comes at a time of significant tensions between the Federal Government and its member states. His loss leaves a gap in Somalia’s Upper House where he was a steadfast advocate for constitutionalism, federalism and regional autonomy.
Mohamed Ali Yusuf, better known as Gaagaab, was a statesman who handled Somalia’s turbulent political past with strength and integrity. His contributions to Puntland’s development and Somalia’s federalism leave a lasting legacy in the country’s evolving political landscape.
Funeral arrangements and official and updated statements from his family are expected to be forthcoming.