Abdiweli Gaas

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, born on July second, nineteen sixty-five, is a prominent Somali American economist and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Somalia from June two thousand eleven to October two thousand twelve, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of the nation. His most notable achievement during this period was the creation of the 'Roadmap for the End of Transition', a strategic framework that set clear benchmarks for establishing permanent democratic institutions in Somalia.

On January eighth, two thousand fourteen, Gaas was elected as the fifth President of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia. His presidency was marked by significant initiatives aimed at enhancing the region's governance and development. He introduced a biometric fishery database, which modernized the fishing industry, and strengthened bilateral cooperation with the European Union in both security and development sectors.

During his tenure, Gaas initiated taxation reforms for international organizations operating in Puntland and established a mutual consulate agreement with Yemen. He also finalized a comprehensive five-year development plan for Puntland, which included ambitious infrastructure projects such as new roads, airports, and seaports in Bosaso and surrounding areas, in collaboration with Djibouti, China, and UNHABITAT officials.

Gaas's leadership was also characterized by his successful military campaign against the Al-Shabaab militant group, known as the Galgala campaign. He signed a twelve-point bilateral agreement with the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, which reaffirmed Puntland's boundaries and aimed to create a united national army. Furthermore, he led Puntland delegations to global business and development conferences in Ethiopia and the United Kingdom, showcasing the region's commercial potential and securing funding for major development projects in various sectors.