Yasin Haji Mohamoud Hiir (Somali: Yaasiin Xaaji Maxamuud Xiir) also known as Faratoon (Faraton) is a Somaliland politician, who is currently the speaker of Somaliland's Lower House of Parliament (House of Representatives).[6][7]
Faratoon was born in Las Anod in 1947. He finished his primary education in the city and attended Dayaha High School in Erigavo. He studied Social Welfare at Lafoole University, and later became a faculty member there.[10]
He later worked for the Ministry of Education of Somalia, rising to the position of Director General.[10]
In 1980, he defected to Qatar after being accused of coup d'état.[10]
After the Declaration of Independence of Somaliland
When Somaliland declared independence in 1991, he became the first governor of the Sool region.[10]
In 1991, President Egal appointed Faratoon as Minister of Health and Labor.[10]
In 2002, when Daahir Rayaale became president, Faratoon became the Minister of Third Country Resettlement.[10]
In 2003, he visited Yagori with the Somaliland Force.[11]
In 2003, he moved out of the country and returned in 2016.[12]
Minister of Interior
In August 2016, President Silanyo appointed Faratoon as Minister of Interior, the first politician from Sool.[12][10]
In November, Faratoon met with Steven Lauwerier of Unicef Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.[13]
Minister of Education and Science
When Muse Bihi Abdi became president in 2017, Faratoon was appointed Minister of Education and Science.[10]
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In November 2018, Faratoon was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.[14][10]
In February 2020, Faratoon met with Taiwan's Foreign Minister in Taipei.[15]
In June 2020, he will accompany President Muse Bihi Abdi to Djibouti.[16]
Somaliland Foreign Minister Hagi Mohamoud with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen
On July 1, 2020, Faratoon signed a new agreement with the Taiwanese government.[17] Faratoon stated on Twitter, "opening missions to boost political and socioeconomic links between the Republic of Somaliland and the Republic of China."[18] Despite protests from the Somalia and Chinese governments over the diplomatic relations between Somaliland and Taiwan, Falatoon announced that Somaliland can establish relations and agreements with any country.[19]
On July 29, 2020, he visited Turkey as Minister of Foreign Affairs.[20]
On August 17, 2020, Faratoon announced that Taiwan will officially open a representative office in Somaliland.[21] On September 9, 2020, the Somaliland office was opened in Taipei.[22]
Somaliland House of Representatives
On March 3, 2021, Faratoon announced his resignation as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The reason was to run for the Somaliland parliamentary seat.[23][24] In June 2021, he ran for and won a seat in the Somaliland House of Representatives from the Kulmiye party.[25]
In August 2021, he was unsuccessful in the election for the Speaker of the Somaliland Parliament. Abdirisak Khalif was elected.[26]
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Somaliland
In June 2023, Abdirisak Khalif resigned because of the shelling of Las Anod by Somaliland forces. On July 23, 2023, Faratoon was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives of Somaliland with 46 votes out of 81 who participated in the voting.[27][28][29] Faratoon issued a statement that he will resolve the dispute in Las Anod.[30] On August 2, he officially assumed the position of chairperson.[31]
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