By Shire Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU — Ogaal Party leader Abdikarim Hassan Jama announced in Mogadishu on Sunday night that he will run for president of Somalia in the next election, whose format and timetable have not been set as political talks continue.
At an event held in Mogadishu, Abdikarim formally launched his candidacy and outlined the issues he said would be his priorities if elected president.
He said his political agenda would focus on security, justice, the rule of law, fighting corruption, economic growth and building effective government institutions.
The announcement means Abdikarim has formally joined the group of politicians who have expressed their intention to compete in Somalia’s forthcoming presidential election.
A biography presented at the event described him as a politician and academic with experience in government administration, education and research.
He previously served in the government, holding several senior positions, including Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications, Director-General of the Presidency and Senior Adviser to the President of Somalia.
Related articles
He held those positions during Somalia’s transitional period, when the country was rebuilding state institutions and developing its federal system.
In the education sector, Abdikarim was among the founders of City University of Mogadishu and held senior leadership positions at the institution.
He also worked with the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, where he served as one of the organisation’s senior officials.
Abdikarim is the leader of the Ogaal Party, a political organisation that says it seeks reforms in governance, security, economic development and the protection of citizens’ rights.
His candidacy comes as several Somali politicians begin positioning themselves for the country’s next leadership contest.