Board of Advisors
H.E. Hassan Moallin Mohamud Sheikh Ali
Member
H.E. Hassan Moallin Mohamud Sheikh Ali, The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a highly respected Somali statesman, intellectual, and visionary reformer. Since August 2022, he has served as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, where he leads a much needed critical reforms in the justice sector and oversees Somalia’s constitutional development. With a outstanding career spanning over a decade & half, he was a Member of Parliament (2009–2022), significantly influencing national policymaking, reconciliation & governance. He is the Founding Chairman of the Daljir Party (2013–2018) and former State Minister for Presidential Affairs (2009–2010), and he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing Somalia’s political and institutional frameworks, where he supported the executive leadership in critical national matters. Hassan holds a master’s degree in international studies and diplomacy from SOAS, University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kingston University. He is also a proud alumnus of Benadir High School. As a dedicated advocate for a Somalia that all citizens and their cultures respected, Hassan is a distinguished member of the Board of Advisors for the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science.
Amb. Mohamed Sheikh Issak Ibrahim
Member
Amb. Mohamed Sheikh Issack Ibrahim is a highly experienced statesman and distinguished Somali diplomat, currently serving as Somalia’s Ambassador to South Africa and Southern Africa icluding Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Angola, Botswana, and Namibia. He previously held the Ambassador to Sudan, where he played a crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties. He boasts an impressive academic background, earning a Master of Arts in International Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs from the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) at the University of Malta. He has further refined his expertise at prestigious institutions such as the Clingendael Institute of International Relations (Netherlands), DIRCO, and The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR). He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Academy of Strategic and Security Studies. He is a pioneer of the Maay language and culture, and he has dedicated his career to preserving Somalia’s cultural heritage. His diplomatic acumen, coupled with his commitment to national development, underscores his status as an advocate for Somalia’s progress. He is a distinguished member of the Board of Advisors of the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science, supporting efforts to preserve and promote Somalia’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Amb Mohamed Ahmed Sh Ali (Dodishe)
Member
Amb. Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the State of Qatar, is an academician, politician, and diplomat who has played a pivotal role in Somalia’s democratic and federalism process since 2000, contributing to peace, security, and stability. Before his ambassadorship, he served as Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security (2022–2023) and Director of the Horn Institute for Peace and Development (2017–2022). Dr. Mohamed has also held influential positions, including Senior Advisor to the Somali President on policy and international affairs (2012–2017) and Regional Director of Alshahid Center for Research and Media Studies (2009–2012). With a PhD in African Studies from Khartoum University (2004), he has lectured at prominent universities in Kenya and Sudan and authored/co-authored five books and eleven research papers. A frequent participant in international symposiums, Dr. Mohamed continues to be a key advocate for progress in Somalia and the wider African region. Dr. Mohamed is also a distinguished member of the Board of Advisors of the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science, supporting efforts to preserve and promote Somalia’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Dr. Lee V. Cassanelli
Member
Dr. Lee V. Cassanelli is an esteemed Associate Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in African history, with a focus on the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Somalia, from the 18th to 20th centuries. He earned his Ph.D. in African History from the University of Wisconsin in 1973. Dr. Cassanelli’s seminal work, The Shaping of Somali Society: Reconstructing the History of a Pastoral People, 1600–1900, is a cornerstone in Somali studies. His extensive research includes publications such as The Struggle for Land in Southern Somalia: The War Behind the War, co-edited with Catherine Besteman, and Hosts and Guests: A Historical Interpretation of Land Conflicts in Southern and Central Somalia. Beyond his publications, Dr. Cassanelli has contributed to the academic community through his roles as Director of the African Studies Center and his involvement in the Penn-Ibadan (Nigeria) Exchange Program. His dedication to understanding the complexities of African societies has made him a leading figure in his field. He is a distinguished member of the Board of Advisors of the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science, supporting efforts to preserve and promote Somalia’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Mr. Michael (Mike) Neterer
Member
Mr. Michael (Mike) Neterer is a dedicated language development consultant specializing in the preservation and promotion of endangered languages in Somalia. With over two decades of experience, Mike has worked extensively with the Somali community since 1998, fostering education and linguistic initiatives. He holds an MA in Language and Culture Studies from Dallas International University, where his groundbreaking thesis, Jiiddu Language Development: A Seventy-Year Journey (1951–2021), highlighted the Jiiddu community’s linguistic heritage and efforts to preserve it.In April 2024, Mike collaborated with the Jiiddu community to publish the Jiiddu Dictionary on Webonary.org, setting a benchmark for other language preservation efforts. Previously, he directed the Somali Adult Literacy Training (SALT) department at Arrive Ministries (2003–2021), recruiting and training ELL tutors for Somali refugees.Through his relentless dedication, Mike continues to empower endangered language communities, ensuring their cultural and linguistic legacies thrive for generations to come. He is a distinguished member of the Board of Advisors of the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science, supporting efforts to preserve and promote Somalia’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Eng. Abdifatah Mohamed Issack (Samaale)
Member
Eng. Abdifitah Isak Mohamed, widely known as Samale, is a Telecommunications Engineer and Public servant committed to advancing education and technological development in Somalia. Born in Mogadishu, Benadir region, he holds a Bsc. in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering from the International Islamic University Chittagong and an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from the East West University. Engr Abdifitah served as the Deputy Minister of Education in Southwest State of Somalia for last five years, where he enhanced educational accessibility, transform education system and empower communities. As a Core Network Engineer at Hormuud Telecom, he has played a vital role in strengthening the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. Notably, he supported the Elif Maay Committee and arranged in launching the official Maay language script, fostering cultural preservation and linguistic identity. Eng. Abdifitah’s dedication to raising productivity and creativity through education underscores his vision for a more innovative and inclusive Somalia. He is a distinguished member of the Board of Advisors of the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science, supporting efforts to preserve and promote Somalia’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Mr. Bashir Ismail Moalim Isse
Member
Bashir Ismail Moallim Isse is a seasoned trainer and consultant specializing in organizational development and institutional strengthening. He contributed to the Strengthening Civil Society in Somalia (SOCSIS) program, enhancing local NGOs’ transparency and accountability. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and administration from Hamar University (2005) and has experience in both the public and private sectors, focusing on improving operational efficiency in Somalia and the UK. From 2016 to 2018, he served as Co-Director of Maandeeq Somali Community Engagement in Birmingham, UK, supporting the Somali community. In 2020, he earned an OTHM Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Care Management and is pursuing a Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in International Business Law and an MBA at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. A passionate advocate for the Maay language, a nephew of the great Afyal Sahal Moalim Isse, Bashir is a Board of Advisors member at the National Academy of Maay Culture and Science, promoting Somalia’s linguistic and cultural heritage.