Abshir Aden Ferro is a candidate for the presidential race in Somalia since 2021 and is currently campaigning for the 2026 elections.[1] His political platform is largely focused on establishing democratic elections and preventing the Al-Shabaab militant group from controlling the Somali government.[2] Ferro was born in Somalia in 1968. He moved to France at age twelve, where he became an entrepreneur and started several businesses.

Abshir Aden Ferro
Born1968
Somalia
CitizenshipFrench and Somalian
Occupation(s)Businessperson and politician
Known forRunning for President of Somalia
Political partyAlliance for the Future Party
OpponentAl-Shabaab
Websitehttps://www.abshirferro.com/

Early life and education

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Ferro was born in 1968[1] in Somalia.[3] His father was a former Somali deputy.[4] Ferro is also related to former president Mohamed Siad Barre,[4] model Iman Bowie,[5] and other politicians.[2] As a child, he attended school in Mogadishu and was taught from the Quran.[2] He also studied with nuns from Italy, until he moved to France at age twelve to be with his father and stepmother.[1][2] He spent a year back in Somali in language studies, before settling in London around age 21[2] for about 30 years.[2][3]

Business and politics

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While in London, Ferro married and founded an international security company called Fort Roche.[1][2] He also owns the companies Abshir Advisors and Somsec.[6] At first, he got involved in international politics by collaborating with the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations' anti-piracy efforts, and others.[2] He created the Somalian Alliance for the Future Party in 2019[1] and ran for the presidency of Somalia under that party in 2021, despite multiple attempts to assassinate him.[7]

Ferro's presidential campaign focuses on universal suffrage, removing the militant group, Al-Shabaab, and reducing corruption in Somalia [8][9] in the use of international aid and donors.[1][7] In Somalia, tribal leaders appoint deputies that vote for government appointees.[2] The country has not had universal suffrage since 1969.[2]In 2024, Ferro has been shortlisted amongst the 100 most reputable Africans. [10] In March 2024, Abshir Aden Ferro has been a speaker during Africa Political Outlook, a summit bringing together committed African, European and international experts, diplomats, political and economic decision-makers, with a view to discussing the major governance issues of the African continent. [11] In June 2024, Ferro was amongst the panelists at the third international conference presented by the Centrist Democrat International (CDI) on the theme of democracy in Africa. [12] Abshir has also been vocal against the actions of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, [13][14] and called for unity and patriotism to overcome the challenges faced the people of Somalia.[15][16]

Personal life

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Ferro travels frequently between London, Dubai and Mogadishu.[5] He is a dual French and Somali citizen.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Yaya, Ngonah (July 18, 2020). "Who is Abshir Aden Ferro, 2021 presidential candidate in Somalia". Afrinik. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lorena, Sofia; Santos, Nuno Ferreira (October 5, 2020). "Abshir Aden Ferro quer "1460 dias" para mudar o futuro da Somália". PÚBLICO. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Lorena, Sofia; Santos, Nuno (October 5, 2020). "Abshir Aden Ferro quer "1460 dias" para mudar o futuro da Somália". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "SOMALIA : Turkish influence comes under fire in presidential campaign". Africa Intelligence. October 8, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "L'Afrique ? La jeunesse d'un monde en devenir..." TECHNIKART (245): 68. December 22, 2020.
  6. ^ Fayol, Clément (April 15, 2016). "Soupçons de corruption dans un projet européen en Somalie". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Okello, Christina (September 29, 2020). "Somali presidential candidate vows to fight corruption and al-Shabaab". RFI. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "UE-Somalie-France : quand le « Qatargate » relance le combat d'Abshir Aden Ferro pour faire juger le « Somaliegate »". FinancialAfrik.com (in French). February 14, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "Somaligate. Le scandale que le Parlement européen n'a pas vu". Observateur.info (in French). February 23, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  10. ^ "100 Most Reputable Africans: The list of the 100 Most Reputable Africans is evidence of the tenacity and resiliency of the African continent". ReputationPoll.com. January 28, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "Intervenants de l'Africa Political Outlook 2024". AfricaPoliticalOutlook.org (in French). March 28, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Jean-Marie BOCKEL à la conférence IDC, au Sénat français : « En Afrique, il ne peut y avoir de démocratie sans développement »". AfricaPress.paris (in French). June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Somalia opposition leader Abshir blasts PM Abiy for 'dividing' region". The-Star.co.ke. August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  14. ^ "Somalia opposition leader accuses Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed of dividing the region". Nation.Africa. August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  15. ^ "Somalia opposition party chief calls for unity talks". The-Star.co.ke. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  16. ^ "Somalia Alliance for Future Party chairman stresses need for unity". Nation.Africa. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
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