How Somalia's diplomatic deficit led to being a failed (recovering) State?
Somalia's past glory at the the world stage: Once we used to have diplomatic warriors….

From Nov 23 to 31st Dec 2021, Mr Hussein M Mohamed*, former acting chief of protocol, Foreign Affairs Ministry (FAM) in the 1980s and a former Somali diplomat, and I discussed many issues about Somalia’s past foreign affairs and diplomatic activities which I have summarised in 12 short articles (see below).
In the last three articles (XII-X) of the series, Mr. Hussein covered the process of setting up an embassy, appointing and accepting ambassadors. This is a very significant contribution to the historical records of Somalia’s FAM and may help Somali students of politics and international relations.
Part XII: Ambassadorial nomination to Somalia and Presentation of credentials:
Part XI: Regulatory procedures for appointing Somali Ambassador, Charge affairs & Diplomats
Part X: Procedure for opening new Somali embassy!
In Articles (IX-VII), Mr Hussein shared with us some interesting events he witnessed or was personally involved which sheds light on how Somalia’s FAM used to function and the high standards achieved in delivering these important public services.
Part IX - Soviet embassy’s surprise invitations!
Part VIII - Welcoming U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs!
Part VII - SONNA: Guinea-Bissau or Guinea-Conakry!
In Articles (VI- IV) Mr Hussein discusses the tricky diplomatic business and this highlights the level of our diplomats’ skills and sophisticated ways they used to carry discharge their delicate responsibilities. Amazing personal and honest reflections.
Part VI - Departure of the soviet embassy's counselor!
Part V - Sitting with the President!
Part IV - U.S. Officer: Our Diplomat is threatened with arrest! Why?
In Articles (III- I) Mr Hussein discusses the MFA internal politics and some of the challenges the protocol staff face in delivering their duties.
Part III - Director, Why is my name in the middle of the list?
Part II - Protocol Job – a thankless task!
Part I - Reflections of a former diplomat and his friend
* Mr Hussein and I went to Casa Popolare Primary School, Hodan, Mogadishu in the 1970s. And later on, we were the first admitted to the faculty of Journalism where he graduated and joined the Somali Foreign Affairs Ministry, but I left and continued my studies at Monash University in Australia. He later continued to serve the country as a diplomat in Turkey and the UAE.
Hussein M Mohamed can be contacted via hmm@somaliaaway.com
Lovely!
Great article! Very informative