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Abdullahi Dool: A diplomat who understood changing dynamics in Middle East and opportunities for Somalia

April 1, 2019

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By all standards, Abdullahi Dool is a veteran diplomat who understands international protocols and state relations. But on Sunday, a brief twitter post brought to a sudden halt an illustrious career at the Ministry of Foreign affairs, from where he has served since 1983, when he was appointed an attaché at the ministry. He was the Advisor in the Ministry.

Many observers believe that it was a mistake for Somali government to fire a diplomat for expressing his personal views. On the other hand, many Arab countries are already engaged in informal Diplomacy with Israel including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Morocco. Somalia will greatly benefit for opening informal channel with Israel as Somaliland government is in the process of securing Israel Support.

With his intuitive diplomatic grasp, he was informally preempting Isreal’s possible dialogue with Somaliland yet Mogadishu’s leaders fail to appreciate it. Instead 40 Years Of diplomacy wiped-out by a single tweet. Question is what steps state State of Israel will take?

Mr Dool had tweeted “I support the diplomatic ties between Israel and Somalia. It is long overdue. Establishing diplomatic relations does not harm anyone but promote peace and corporation”.

Somalia is one of the diehard supporters of the of the Palestinian cause. The government recently recalled its ambassador to Geneva for abstaining from a vote condemning Israel’s occupation of Golan Heights.

In another tweet which followed he said “The Palestinians are their worst enemies. They never miss an opportunity to miss a chance. They are idiots and losers in Gaza. They should be condemned each time they attack civilians. It is in our interest to welcome Israel”.

He later rose to the position of Counselor the following year, before taking up positions of first secretary in Somalia Embassy in Kuwait and later London. In the UN he served as the first Counsellor, later rising to be the Charge de affairs in 1990.

The breakdown of civil war in 1991 brought his career at the ministry to a halt. He later worked for Horn Heritage Publications where he worked till 2010.

In 2011 he was appointed Deputy Minister in charge of Water, Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Resources where he served till 2012. In 2014 he was appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment promotion. In December the same year, he was appointed as an advisor in the Ministry, a position he held until last Sunday.