Mohamed Abshir Waldo (Somali: Maxamed Abshir Waldo, Arabic: محمد أبشير والدو) was a prominent Somali journalist and political activist.

Mohamed Abshir Waldo
Born1938
Somalia
DiedMarch 5, 2016
NationalitySomali
Alma materColumbia University Journalism School
Occupation(s)Political activist, journalist, philanthropy
Spousefaisa abdiqafaar
Children5

Career edit

Growing up as a camel herder, he eventually ended up at Columbia University during the Columbia University protests of 1968. He is a graduate of Columbia University Journalism School (MA in Mass Media, 1968).[1]

Waldo started out as a radio journalist with the BBC World Service and eventually became the Director of the Somali Broadcasting Service, the main government service in the 1960s.[1][2]

In 1980s, he became Information Minister for the Somali Salvation Democratic Front and briefly served as the head of the organization.

Recent work edit

His recent writings on the remittance industry stem from his development work on micro-finance issues as well as his interest in regional rehabilitation through small-business initiatives. Waldo has written extensively on the Somali remittance industry.[1] He has also written articles about the root causes of piracy of the coast of Somalia.[3][4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c World Bank (PDF).
  2. ^ Wells, Alan, ed. (1996). World broadcasting : a comparative view. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publ. Corp. p. 155. ISBN 1567502458.
  3. ^ "Analysis: Somalia Piracy Began in Response to Illegal Fishing and Toxic Dumping by Western Ships off Somali Coast". Democracy Now. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  4. ^ "THE TWO PIRACIES IN SOMALIA: WHY THE WORLD IGNORES THE OTHER?". WardheerNews. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2013.