the owner of a small grocery store in Seatle is the new

[foolxume2005]

Somali ambassador in US, alah haduu Sir-lugooyo is dili doonaa.

Somali refugee in Seattle now serving as an ambassador
28-year-old still has to gain trust of native country

By VANESSA HO
P-I REPORTER

Last week, when Islamic militant forces fled Mogadishu in a stunning turn of events, Somalia had its first legitimate central government in more than a decade.

But the grind of rebuilding the ravaged country isn't just happening in Africa. It's happening here, thousands of miles away, on the shoulders of a little-known, 28-year-old man named Koshi Mohamed.


Mohamed
Some people may know Mohamed as a former University of Washington student who came here as a Somali refugee in 1997. Or they know him as the owner of a small grocery store and business center near Yesler Terrace.

But when Somalia's current government -- a transitional group headed by a former warlord and backed by the United Nations -- wants to deal with the United States, it goes through Mohamed.

He is their representative.

"I'm very excited about this in my homeland," Mohamed told reporters Wednesday, referring to the turnaround in Somalia. "This is the first time in 17 years we have a government."

But like the road ahead for Somalia, Mohamed's mission is fraught with enormous challenges.

To begin with, there was his title. The think-tank group that introduced Mohamed to reporters -- the Discovery Institute -- called him a clunky "ambassador-designate."

That's because the United States doesn't formally recognize the government of Somalia President Abdullah Yusuf.



Then there was the matter of respect. Mohamed is from the same clan and state as the president. Some local Somalis believe Yusuf is Mohamed's uncle and that it got him the job.

Mohamed said Yusuf is not his uncle. He said he has known Yusuf for a while and began working for him in 2002, when Mohamed was in Seattle, and before Yusuf became president.

Mohamed was also vague about other personal details. He told reporters he studied American Ethnic Studies at the UW and graduated in 2003, when in fact he never earned a degree, according to the registrar's office.

Among local Somalis, who number about 20,000, skepticism is high toward Mohamed. Clan loyalties are strong, Somalia has been a ruined country for decades and many people said they don't trust Mohamed -- or the transitional government -- yet.

"They have a lot to prove," said Mahdy Maaweel, a producer of a local Somali TV show. "Time will tell."

Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, when tribal militias overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and turned on each other.

After hundreds of thousands of people died, the United Nations helped create the transitional government two years ago.

But the government never controlled the heavily armed capital, and a powerful Islamic militant group took over in June. Often compared to the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the Islamic group banned Western music, threatened citizens with public executions and is thought to be linked with terrorists.

Last week, the Somali government -- with help from Ethiopian troops -- ousted the Islamic group, which stirred even more controversy. Many people credited the group for bringing some stability to the country and resented the presence of Ethiopian troops.

Mohamed dismissed those concerns. "History is history. Somalia government and Ethiopia government is moving in a direction that is friendly in terms of cooperation," he said.

That surprised many people, who remember the brutal war the two countries fought in 1977.

The relationship between Mohamed and the Discovery Institute may be just as odd. The think tank is famous for pushing its controversial "intelligent design" theory, and Mohamed came under its wings through former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, who does pro bono legal work for Somalia's transitional government.

The Discovery Institute called Mohamed "a bright ray of hope."

[Intruder]

[Then there was the matter of respect. Mohamed is from the same clan and state as the president. Some local Somalis believe Yusuf is Mohamed's uncle and that it got him the job.]

[Mohamed was also vague about other personal details. He told reporters he studied American Ethnic Studies at the UW and graduated in 2003, when in fact he never earned a degree, according to the registrar's office.]

Doroo nepotism is in motion alreadyÂ…

Brings back memories of illiterate Marexaans street cleaners and shoe shiners being made army Generals in the Afweyne era.

Now we have a candy/soda street stand clerk being propelled to the highest diplomatic job just because he is a swine Doroo.

And you wonder why the ISAAQ went their own way.

[AbdiWahab252]

Intruder:

Maxamed Siyaad never appointed a bafoon to a sensitive position like Ambassador to the US.

He might have put his Marexan relative in the Somali embassy to serve as the driver, or security guard but never Ambassador.

[kambuli]

Alla yaa dadka runta u sheega.... Ninkani af Ingiriisiduuba yaqaana at least....Kuwo waxaa jiiri jirey aan xataa afka aqoon... Cilmi ahaana aan high school wax aan ahayn ka bixin....

Foolka Xaaji,

Ma haddaad hurdada kasoo kacday? Miyaadan arag threadka iska dhan ee uu adeerkaa u furey ninkan iyo arrimihiisa?

[Somaliman%]

his a young educated guy, and if he can do the job why not.
stop being jelouse... just kos at 28 you aint gone that far

[Ugaas Diini]

[quote]
Maxamed Siyaad never appointed a bafoon to a sensitive position like Ambassador to the US. [/quote]

Was the former somali ambassador to the U.S a habargedir?

[AbdiWahab252]

To the Majeerten People here:

Are u really supportive of this guy or are you simply poking fun ?

[foolxume2005]

Kambuli said Foolka Xaaji,
Ma haddaad hurdada kasoo kacday? Miyaadan arag threadka iska dhan ee uu adeerkaa u furey ninkan iyo arrimihiisa?



Naa I dhagayso gabadhyahay Majeerteen, waan arkay threadkaase I didnt know our new Somali ambassador in US in uu yahay grocery store owner.

[AbdiWahab252]

[quote="Ugaas Diini"][quote]
Maxamed Siyaad never appointed a bafoon to a sensitive position like Ambassador to the US. [/quote]

Was the former somali ambassador to the U.S a habargedir?[/quote]

UGaas:


You mean Cabdullahi Caddow ? He was a loyal Ambassador who did a good job explaining the positions of the Somali Democratic Republic. Siyaad Barre really like Caddow.

Before being Ambassador, Caddow was the Minister of Finance, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Minister of Planning.

[Niya]

Abdi, if this is true, then it is sad sad situation. One should be appointed for his/her knowledge and experience.

[kambuli]

Foolka Xaaji quote " Naa I dhageyso Gabadh yahay Majeerteen"

Belo ma wax la isku xuuxiyey noqotey? OK Laga bilaabo maanta waxaan ahay Majeerteen....

[AbdiWahab252]

Niya:

I agree sister.

I want to see a smart, sauve, experienced man/woman to represent Somalia.

An Ambassador is the face of your nation. Having a former grocer with no real world experience in government or diplomacy is laughable and makes the TFG look like the clown government it is.

[Ina Baxar]

Kambuli--->"Alla yaa dadka runta u sheega.... Ninkani af Ingiriisiduuba yaqaana at least....Kuwo waxaa jiiri jirey aan xataa afka aqoon... Cilmi ahaana aan high school wax aan ahayn ka bixin.... "

Kambuli , inkastoon ku jeclahay , marmar baad iga cadhaysiisa.
Maxaad ka wadda bal ii sheeg . Ma maraykan oo dhan ba wax af ingiriiska yaqan laga la'yay? Arrintani mid la difaaci karo ma' ahee , iskaga carar meesha gacaliso

[AbdiWahab252]

Ina BAxar

[michael_ital]

LoooooooooL @ "soda jerk"