Awad for Puntland

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Biography

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Biography Of The Candidate

Amb. Ahmed Isse Awad is a political leader, career diplomat, governance adviser, and peacebuilding practitioner. Before declaring his candidacy for the Puntland Presidency as a top contender, he formerly served in high-level roles in the Federal Republic of Somalia, including as Somali Ambassador to the United States of America (2015 – 2018) and as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2018 – 2020). Amb. Awad’s decades-long political and governance experience helped guide and develop an inclusive, forward-looking policy platform that underpins his vision for a united, democratic and economically vibrant Puntland State of Somalia. In addition, through policy and action, Amb. Awad’s policy platform aims to support the ongoing statebuilding process in Somalia to achieve a peaceful, united, democratic and federal Republic.

Amb. Awad was born in Nugal Region, present-day State of Puntland, Federal Republic of Somalia. He attended school in Mogadishu before the civil war in 1991. He resettled in Canada, where he pursued higher education and completed a degree in Political Science, at Concordia University in Montreal, in 1991. Amb. Awad has also obtained a Master’s Degree in Peace and Security Studies from the Institute of Peace and Security Studies of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He speaks three languages fluently (Somali, Arabic and English). He is married with four children.

Ahmed's Path to Progress: A Pictorial Narrative of Political Triumphs

2006 - 2015

  • Worked on conflict resolution, peace-building, and good governance for two UN Peacekeeping Missions in Sudan.
2000 – 2004

  • Participated as a resource person in the Somali Reconciliation Conference in Arta, Djibouti (2000).
  • Contributed to the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference in Kenya (2002-2004).
  • Served as the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister for the Transitional National Government of Somalia (TNG).
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January 2018 – November 2020:
  • Appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia.
  • Carried out duties with professionalism, diligence, and empathy.
  • Represented Somalia in various international forums, showcasing refined diplomatic skills.
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Present (2023):
  • Continues to be actively engaged in promoting peace, state-building, and democratic governance in post-conflict societies.
  • Advocates for the empowerment of youth and women.
September 2015 – January 2018:

  • Appointed as the Somali Ambassador to the United States of America.
  • Successfully reopened the Somali Embassy in Washington, DC, after being closed for twenty-four years.
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August 2023:

  • Published “What Somalia needs is Strong Institutions” in Sahan Somali Wire, Issue 584.
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Professional Career

Amb. Awad has served in various roles over the course of his illustrative career. He was a Delegate at the Somali Peace and Reconciliation Conference, held in Arta, Djibouti (2000). The Conference outcome led to the formation of the Transitional National Government (TNG), where he served as Chief of Staff to the TNG Prime Minister. After the TNG mandate ended, Mr. Awad participated as a Delegate at the Somali National Reconciliation Conference, held in Kenya (2002 – 2004), which led to the formation of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the predecessor of today’s Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).

After this Conference, Amb. Awad took on a new role working for the United Nations (U.N.) on important peacekeeping missions in Africa. He commenced his career at the U.N. in a peacebuilding role, serving on two U.N. Peacekeeping Missions in Sudan. His career at the U.N. focused on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, good governance, and the role of civil society in the peace processes in Sudan, from 2006 to 2015.

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia appointed Mr. Awad as the Somali Ambassador to the United States of America, serving in the role between 2015 – 2018. His work in Washington, D.C., focused on reviving U.S-Somalia relations which were stalled since the outbreak of the Somali civil war in 1991 and engaging the vibrant Somali-American communities throughout the United States. Amb. Awad had the honor of reopening the Somali Embassy in Washington, D.C., after it had been closed for twenty-four years.

In 2018, Amb. Awad joined the Federal Government of Somalia as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He performed his public office duties and responsibilities to the Somali people faithfully, diligently and with a high-level of professional competence and deep empathy. During his tenure as Foreign Minister, Mr. Awad traveled extensively around the world, from Morocco to Japan, to advance Somalia’s national interests, developing strategies that strengthened the country’s foreign policy and diplomacy, and focusing on governance, security and trade priorities. Furthermore, Amb. Awad also had the honor to represent the people and Government of Somalia at many international forums and venues with dignity and refined diplomatic skills.