Mohamud Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji (Somali: Maxamuud Cabdulaahi Sheikh Siraaji; Arabic: محمود عبد الله شيخ سراج ) is a Somali politician who was elected from the state of Jubaland as a member of Federal Parliament of Somalia on the 15th of February 2018. Mohamud is the younger brother of the late Minister for Public Works and Reconstruction Abass Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji.
Early life and education
Born to a religious family, Mohamud spent a great deal of his life living in Dadaab Refugee camps of North Eastern Kenya. At a tender age of 3, Siraji's family moved to Kenya's Dadaab camps via Liboi seeking refuge from the civil war in Somalia.
Born to strict religious parents, Siraji and his siblings have started Qur'anic school (Duksi) at an early age. It was long before he completed his Qur'anic studies and started learning the Islamic Jurisprudence also known as Fiq.
Mohamud completed both his primary and secondary school in Dadaab, Ifo Refugee camps and later proceeded to Toronto, Canada to Study Bachelor of Commerce at York University.
Siraji was a bright student and has completed at the top of his class both in primary and high school. Because of his high performance in the national exam, he was awarded a scholarship to study his bachelor's degree in Canada.
Politics
Even though Mohamud joined active politics after the assassination of his late brother, he was actively involved in student organizations and youth advocacy groups. He has been involved in student leadership both in high school and in university. He served in various roles ranging from VP Finance to president in student organization in university.
After the assassination of his late brother, Abass Siraji, he decided to come back and serve his country. After a 9-month wait, he finally won the by-election on landslide on the 15th of Feb 2018.
Committees
Siraji held assignments on multiple committees e.g. House Committee on Budget, Finance, Planning, and Financial Oversight of Public Institutions, Committee on Food Security and Nutrition, East Africa Parliamentary Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition (EAPA FSN) and the Ad hoc Committee to complete the Elections Act
House Committee on Budget, Finance, Planning, and Financial Oversight of Public Institutions On December 26, 2018, Mohamud Siraji was elected as the chairman of the House Committee on Budget, Finance, Planning, International Cooperation and Financial Oversight of Public Institutions. His election came after the former leadership of the committee has been disbanded after they submitted a controversial financial report that claimed that over $42 million have been lost through corruption. This, however, was later deemed to be incorrect report and the parliament apologized for the wrong report on the missing money.
Committee on Food Security and Nutrition
In October 2018, Siraji together with Hon. Abdi Ali attended The Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition held in Madrid, Spain. In this summit, Siraji gave a moving speech about the status of food security in his home country of Somalia and pledged to form a parliamentary group that will dedicate to advocating for food security and nutrition in Somalia. On his return to the country, Siraji together with Hon. Ali advocated for the formation of a parliamentary group dedicated in ensuring that the government allocates resources that will ensure food security and nutrition. In March 2019, Food Security and Nutrition Committee was formed with Siraji being a member.
East Africa Parliamentary Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition (EAPA FSN) Following the Madrid meeting, Siraji pledged to form food security committee both in Somalia and the Region. This followed subsequent meetings in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania and the ultimate formation of the East Africa Parliamentary Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition (EAPA FSN)
This is a regional committee composed of all the East African countries. Somalia is represented by Hon. Siraji and Hon. Ali. The East Africa Parliamentary Alliance on Food Security and Nutrition (EAPA FSN) is currently chaired by Somalia's Hon. Abdi Ali Hassan