Numerous Somali political leaders, including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Barre, Parliament speakers, and civil society organizations, have extended their deepest condolences over the death of former Somali Parliament Speaker Prof. Mohamed Osman Jawari.
Emphasizing the deceased’s significant role, President Mohamud highlighted the contributions Prof. Jawari made in developing and building government institutions in Somalia. He underscored that Prof. Jawari was one of the leaders of the Somali nation who sacrificed their life and resources for its reconstruction.
Acknowledging the loss, “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ileyhi Rajicun. I send my deepest condolences to the family, relatives, and the nation of Somalia. The former Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari, worked for our nation for a long time and left a good legacy, as he played a prominent role in the restoration of the government of Somalia,” President Mohamud said in a statement released on Friday.
Additionally, Prime Minister Barre stated that the nation and the Somali people have lost a pillar crucial to building the Somali government. He described the late Jawari as an experienced politician who worked in the government of Somalia for more than 60 years and achieved comprehensive governance.
Expressing their sentiments, the speakers of the Lower and Upper Houses of the Somali Parliament described Prof. Jawari as a person who dedicated much time to the Somali government and served the nation for a long time. Other regional leaders and civil society organizations thanked the late Jawari for building the Somali government.
Curious about his background? Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman was born in Afgoye district in the Lower Shabelle region in 1945. He grew up in Bur Hakaba district in the Bay region and studied law at Somali National University.
During the period between 1979 and 1985, he served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. From 1973 to 1979, he served as Director General and Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
Rising through the ranks, Prof. Jawari eventually became Minister of Transport, Labor, and Labor in the government led by former President Mohamed Siad Barre. He was also a member of parliament during the military government.
After the government collapsed, Prof. Jawari went to Norway and lived there for a while. In Norway, he worked in development and education.
Returning to Somalia when reconciliation efforts began to form a government, he was among those who helped establish the Somali government. He became the chairman of the Independent Commission, which drafted the latest constitution, and served as a senior adviser to the Constitution Commission for a long time.
In the year 2012, Prof. Jawari became the Speaker of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, the first parliament elected in the country and chosen by traditional elders. In 2017, he became the House of the People Speaker again but resigned after a political conflict with the government.
Most recently, he was part of a committee appointed by President Hassan Sheikh to defend Somalia’s independence and territorial unity amid diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
In addition to his political career, Prof. Jawari also lectured university students, encouraging them to focus on the country’s development. He was well-versed in Somali language and culture and fluent in Somali, Italian, English, Arabic, and Norwegian.
Sadly, in 2022, social media reports falsely claimed that Prof. Jawari had passed away, but his relatives later denied the news.
Concluding his remarkable life, Prof. Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari died at 79, leaving behind nine children—five daughters and four sons.
