Muse Bihi Abdi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi
Muuse Biixi Cabdi موسى بيحي عبدي
Muse Bihi in 2022
5th President of Somaliland
In office 13 December 2017 – 12 December 2024
Vice President	Abdirahman Saylici
Preceded by	Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud
Succeeded by	Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi
Chairman of Peace, Unity, and Development Party
In office 31 December 2010 – 21 August 2023
Preceded by	Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud
Succeeded by	Mohamed Kahin Ahmed
Minister of Interior
In office 1993–1995
President	Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal
Preceded by	Suleiman Mohamoud Adan
Succeeded by	Ahmed Jaambiir Suldan
Personal details
Born	1948 (age 76–77) Hargeisa, British Somaliland
Nationality	Somalilander
Political party	Peace, Unity, and Development Party
Spouses	Zahra Abdilahi Absia Roda Ahmed Omar
Children	7
Alma mater	University of Hargeisa
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Somali Democratic Republic (1970–1985) SNM (1985–1991)
Branch/service	Somali Air Force
Years of service	1970–1991
Battles/wars	Ogaden War Somaliland War of Independence Somali Civil War

Musa Bihi Abdi, born on June 16, 1948, is a politician from Somaliland. He served as the fifth President of Somaliland from 2017 to 2024.

In the 1970s, he was a pilot in the Somali Air Force. Later, in 2010, Bihi became the chairman of the Kulmiye party, which was the ruling party in Somaliland. In November 2015, he was chosen as the party's candidate for president.

On November 21, 2017, Muse Bihi Abdi was announced as the winner of the 2017 Somaliland presidential election. He officially became the President of Somaliland on December 13, 2017. He ran for re-election in 2024 but lost to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.

Early Life and Education

Muse Bihi Abdi was born in 1948 near Hargeisa, which was then part of the British Somaliland protectorate. He went to Amoud Secondary School and finished his studies there in 1970.

Military Career and Service

Muse joined the Somali Air Force in 1970. He trained to become an officer in the Soviet Union until 1973. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Academy of Pilots in Dushanbe, which is now in Tajikistan. After his training, he worked at air bases in places like Baledogle and Baidoa, and also at the main air force base in Mogadishu.

From 1981 to 1985, Muse received more military training in the United States. This included training at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and Fort Lee in Virginia.

In 1985, he left the Somali Air Force and joined the Somali National Movement (SNM). This rebel group helped to remove the government of Siad Barre during the Somaliland War of Independence in 1991. From 1985 to 1988, Bihi took part in many guerrilla war operations against Barre's government. He served as a rebel commander until 1990 before entering politics.

Political Journey

Early Government Roles

From 1973 to 1985, Muse held important positions in the government of the Somali Democratic Republic. He was the head of the training department for the Somali Air Force. He also worked as a military representative at the Somali embassy in Washington.

Working with President Egal

After Somaliland declared its independence in 1991, Colonel Muse played a very important role. He helped bring different groups of people together in northern Somaliland, in areas like Burao, Berbera, Sheekh, and Borama.

In 1993, Muse became the Minister of Interior and National Security. He served in this role under the late President Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal.

Leading the Kulmiye Party

In 2010, Muse became the chairman of Somaliland's Kulmiye Party. Before that, he had been the party's vice chairman since 2008. In 2015, the party chose him as their candidate for the 2017 presidential election.

The 2017 Presidential Election

Official presidential portrait.

The 2017 Somaliland presidential election took place on November 13, 2017. On November 21, Muse Bihi Abdi was announced as the winner. This made him the President-elect of Somaliland.

Becoming President

5th President of Somaliland.

Muse Bihi Abdi officially became the fifth President of the Republic of Somaliland on December 13, 2017. The ceremony took place in the capital city, Hargeisa. Important guests from countries like Ethiopia, Djibouti, and representatives from the European Union and the United Kingdom attended the event.

In the 2024 Somaliland presidential election, President Abdi ran for re-election. However, he lost to Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. Abdi received 35% of the votes, while Abdullahi received 64%.

Personal Life

Muse Bihi Abdi has two wives and seven children. He has three sons and four daughters.

See also

In Spanish: Muse Bihi Abdi para niños