// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho said Mohamed Said Gees was a great baker? He kneaded the praise.
Mohamed Said Mohamed | |
|---|---|
| Maxamed Siciid Maxamed Gees | |
 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland | |
| In office 2002–2003 | |
| President | Dahir Riyale Kahin |
| Preceded by | Abdihakim Garad Jama[1] |
| Succeeded by | Edna Adan Ismail[1] |
| Minister of Finance of Somaliland | |
| In office 1999–2001 | |
| President | Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Silanyo) |
| Succeeded by | Hussein Farah Dodi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 November 1946 |
| Died | 23 August 2025 (aged 78) Virginia, United States |
| Occupation | Politician, academic, peacebuilder |
Mohamed Said Mohamed (11 November 1946 – 23 August 2025), commonly known by his nickname Gees (Somali: Maxamed Siciid Maxamed Gees), was a Somaliland politician, academic, and peacebuilder.[2]
Biography
[edit]Early Days
[edit]Mohamed Said Mohamed was born in Erigavo on 11 November 1946.[2] At the age of 2, his family moved to Hargeisa, where his father worked as a medical doctor.[3] He attended Sheikh Secondary School. He later enrolled at Lafoole (Somali National University), where he completed a degree in physics in 1973. He later pursued postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, earning a master's degree.[4]
Early career
[edit]After returning to Somalia, Gees began teaching physics at Lafoole University. He later joined the Ministry of Education’s curriculum development center, contributing to the introduction of Somali-language educational materials during the period when Somali became the national written language. His work involved translating science and mathematics textbooks into Somali.[4]
Minister of Fisheries (Somalia)
[edit]In February 1990, Gees entered national politics when he was appointed Somalia's Minister of Fisheries. He reportedly learned of his appointment through a radio announcement while buying cattle in Biyo-Ado, Middle Shabelle.[4]
Somali Civil War
[edit]Following the outbreak of the Somali Civil War and the collapse of the central government, Gees fled Mogadishu. He escaped via Kenya and Ethiopia and later lived in Yemen for a period before returning to Somaliland in the mid-1990s.[4]
Minister of Planning (Somaliland)
[edit]Gees served as Minister of Planning of Somaliland from 1997 to 1999 under President Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal.[4]
Minister of Finance (Somaliland)
[edit]From 1999 to 2001, Gees served as Minister of Finance of Somaliland.[5][6] In a 2001 interview, he stated that peace and political stability were essential for economic recovery and for encouraging diaspora investment.[6]
Minister of Foreign Affairs (Somaliland)
[edit]Gees served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Somaliland from 2002 to 2003 under President Dahir Riyale Kahin.[1]
Work in civil society and academia
[edit]From 2004 to 2012, after leaving public office, Gees served as Executive Director of the Academy for Peace and Development (APD) in Hargeisa. He oversaw dialogue-based initiatives promoting peaceful elections, responsible media conduct, and the institutionalization of political parties.[2]
Later work and views
[edit]In August 2016, Gees welcomed the Somaliland–Khatumo talks led by Ali Khalif Galaydh as a positive step, congratulated the president, and argued that progress comes through peace and dialogue—so Somaliland should engage in talks like others do.[7]
In 2023, Gees urged Somaliland’s political leaders and citizens to reinforce democratic institutions and overcome clan-based divisions, emphasizing that national cohesion was the foundation of a stable democracy.[8]
Death
[edit]Gees died on 23 August 2025 and was buried in Virginia, United States.[4]
Publications
[edit]- Dharaar Xusuus Leh (“A Day to Remember”) — a memoir in which Gees reflects on his life, his service in education and government, and the broader process of Somaliland’s recovery and reconstruction.[4]
- A Self-Portrait of Somaliland: Rebuilding from the Ruins — a collaborative research document published in December 1999 by the Somaliland Centre for Peace and Development (SCPD) that notes Gees’s encouragement and advisory role in the study.[9]
- Dharaaro Xusuustood (English Edition) — a co-authored eBook written by Said Mohamed Gees and Mohamed Said Gees, published independently through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing in 2022 (ASIN B0BMVV56J1).[10] Said Mohamed Gees was a Somali health official who led national smallpox and malaria control programs and was a different person from Mohamed Said Gees.[11]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Former and Current Top Management of the Somaliland MOFA & IC" (PDF). Government of Somaliland. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 "A notable peacebuilder". Interpeace. December 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Taariikh nololeedkii Marxuum Maxamed Siciid Gees". BBC Somali. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Prof. Mohamed Said Gees, educator and statesman, buried in Virginia". Hiiraan Online. 25 August 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ Adan, Muktar A. (Koshin) (March 2017). "Overcoming Challenges in an Unrecognized Economy: Experience from Somaliland" (PDF). American International Journal of Contemporary Research. 7 (1): 79–86. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- 1 2 "IRIN Interview with Somaliland Minister of Finance, Mohamed Said Mohamed 'Gees'". The New Humanitarian. March 2001. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Waraysi Xiiso Badan oo Prof Maxamed Siciid Gees Kaga Hadlay Wada Hadalka Somaliland Iyo Khaatumo Iyo Qodobo kale DAAWO". Qurbejoog. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Professor Gees urges the fledgling of established democracy and shunning of tribalism". Horn Diplomat. January 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "A Self-Portrait Of Somaliland: Rebuilding From The Ruins". Saxafi Media. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ Gees, Said Mohamed; Gees, Mohamed Said (2022). Dharaaro Xusuustood (English ed.). Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. ASIN B0BMVV56J1. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Nolol La Xusuusto Siciid Maxamed Gees – Qeybtii 3aad". Geeska.net (in Somali). 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2025.