Mustaf Ali Duhulow (Somali: Mustafa Cali Duhulow, Arabic: مصطاف علي دوهولو) is a Somali politician. He served as the Minister of Information of Somalia from January 2014 to January 2015.

Mustaf Ali Duhulow
مصطاف علي دوهولو
Minister of Information of Somalia
In office
17 January 2014 – 27 January 2015
Prime MinisterAbdiweli Sheikh Ahmed
Preceded byAbdullahi Elmoge Hersi
Succeeded byGuled Hussein Kasim
Personal details
BornSomalia

Personal life

edit

Duhulow hails from the Hawiye clan.[1]

Career

edit

Federal Parliament

edit

On 20 August 2000, Duholow was among the legislators nominated to the newly established Federal Parliament of Somalia.[2]

Minister of Information

edit

Appointment

edit

On 17 January 2014, Duhulow was appointed Minister of Information by Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed.[3] He succeeded Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi in the position.

Somalia-Ethiopia cooperative agreements

edit

In February 2014, Duhulow was part of a Somali government delegation in Addis Ababa led by Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, where the visiting officials met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and Ethiopia. The meeting concluded with a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to promote partnership and cooperation, including a cooperative agreement signed by Duhulow and the Ethiopian Minister of Government Communication Affairs Redwan Hussein covering information matters, a second cooperative agreement to develop the police force, and a third cooperative agreement on the aviation sector.[4]

Media law

edit

On 1 September 2014, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the Federal Cabinet approved a new Draft Media Bill.[5] The legislation was welcomed by the National Union of Somali Journalists and other local media groups, who urged public institutions to adhere to the bill once implemented. Among other clauses, the new law proposes the establishment of an Independent Media Council.[6] According to Minister of Information Duhulow, after having consulted with Somali journalists and directors, the media bill was put before the Federal Parliament for deliberation during its fifth legislative session.[5]

Public Awareness Campaign

edit

In September 2014, the Somali government also launched a Public Awareness Campaign to tackle and prevent corruption in the public sector and to strengthen good governance. According to the project's director Minister of Information Duhulow, it will consist of anti-corruption programs, which are scheduled to air on radio and television stations, newspapers, websites, social media and various other local media outlets. The initiative will broadcast public service announcements aimed at the average citizen, as well as establish call-in programs, debates, discussions and public events. The minister also indicated that the public awareness campaign would be accompanied by a civic education drive to inform the citizenry on anti-graft legislation, reporting and enforcement.[7]

End of term

edit

On 27 January 2015, Duholow's term as Minister of Information of Somalia ended, following the appointment of a new Cabinet by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. He was succeeded at the position by Guled Hussein Kasim.[8]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Federal legislators" (PDF). Bar-Kulan. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  2. ^ "Office of the Somali Parliament". Office of the Somali Parliament. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  3. ^ "SOMALIA PM Said "Cabinet will work tirelessly for the people of Somalia"". Midnimo. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Ethiopia: The Prime Minister of Somalia On a Visit to Ethiopia". Government of Ethiopia. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Somalia: Cabinet pass new draft media law". Goobjoog. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  6. ^ "SOMALIA: Cabinet passes new Draft Media Bill after two weeks of discussion". Raxanreeb. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  7. ^ "SOMALIA: Gov't declares Public Awareness Campaign to combat the widespread corruption in the country". Raxanreeb. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Nominated Ministers and Their Clans". Goobjoog. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.