Suldaan Sheikh Muse Jama Godad (Somali: Suldaan Sheikh Muuse Jaamac Goodaad) is a traditional elder of Somaliland. He participated in the Somaliland independence movement as a non-member of the Somali National Movement (which was the main force behind the revolutionary movement,) and signed the Somaliland Declaration of Independence as one of the representatives of Awdal. Suldaan and Sheikh (Sh.) are his titles.
| Suldaan Sheikh Muuse Jaamac Goodaad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Suldaan of the Hebjire of the Habar 'Affan, Gadabuursi | |
| Reign | 1956 - 2005 |
| Born | 1932 Borama, British Somaliland |
| Died | July 10, 2005 (aged 72–73) Djibouti |
Biography
editMuse Jama was born in Borama in Awdal region in 1932. He belongs to the Hebjire sub-clan of the Habar 'Affan clan within the Gadabuursi clan.[1] He spent his childhood in the countryside and received a more advanced religious education in Djibouti from 1949 to 1956. He returned to his homeland in 1956 and was formally installed as Suldaan (clan elder). [1]
In 1959, Muse Jama became secretary-general of the Borama branch of the United Somali Party (USP), and in 1960, he was appointed secretary in charge of leadership at USP headquarters. In the late 1960s, he became secretary-general of the USP as a whole. After the USP merged with the Somali National League (SNL), he became secretary in charge of leadership.[1] In 1967, he joined a private company, but in 1968 he entered a government agency involved in trade and became the administrator of the Gabiley District. And in 1978, he became the head of transportation and logistics in Mogadish.[1]
During the early 1991 conflict in Mogadish (the start of the Somali Civil War), Muse Jama organized northern residents at a hotel in Lafoole, on the outskirts of Mogadish, declaring the necessity of returning north to establish peace, disarm militias, and restore the independent statehood originally lost in 1960.[2]
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From February to March 1991, he played a central role in the peace conference held in Borama.[1]
From April to May 1991, Muse Jama played a crucial role in convening the Somaliland’s traditional council of elders (gurti) in preparation for a large-scale conference in Burao.[1] At the conference, Muse Jama stated, "We are not people who separated from Somalia, but people who have reclaimed our status as a nation."[3] On May 5, a document known as the Somaliland Declaration of Independence was signed, and Muse Jama was among those who signed it.[4]
He subsequently served as a mediator in disputes that arose in various regions. In April 1992, another conference was held in Borama, where he presided over a meeting of all communities in the Awdal region.[1]
Muse Jama also played a key role in the Grand Conference of National Reconciliation held in 1993.[1] And on that occasion, he was the third person to sign the Somaliland National Charter, in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Somaliland Gurti.[5] When Gurti was institutionalized as the House of Elders, he became one of its first members.[1]
In September 2002, Muse Jama was part of a high-level peace delegation to Adhi'adeye, the Sool region. As a representative of the Guurti, he helped mediate a ceasefire between the Fiqishini (Hawiye) and Reer Cilmi (Dhulbahante) clans to resolve regional hostilities.[6]
Muse Jama died in Djibouti on July 10, 2005.[1] The position of Gurti was taken over by his nephew, Dahir Ali Jama (Daahir Cali Jaamac).[7]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Somaliland's path to peace: Sheikh Muse Jama Goodaad". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
- ↑ Ali, Mohamed Haji (2011-12-25). "Suldan Sheekh Muuse Goodaad Wuxuu Ahaa Ninkii Ugu Horeeyay Ee Ku Dhawaaqa Gooni Isku Taaga Somaliland, Wuxuuna U Qalmaa In Buuga Taariikhda Iskuulada Lagu Dhigto Lagu Daro" [Sultan Sheikh Muse Goodaad Was the First Person to Announce Somaliland's Independence, and He Deserves to Be Included in School History Books]. Cadceed (in Somali). Archived from the original on 2017-07-29. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ Ahmed, Abdullahi (2021-02-21). "Guulaha Muuqda ee Somaliland" [The Visible Successes of Somaliland]. Qaran News (in Somali). Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ "Madaxweynaha Somaliland Oo Luqad Adag Kula Hadlay Madaxda Somalia" [Somaliland President Addresses Somalia's Leaders with Strong Language]. Saxafi Media (in Somali). 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ "The Somaliland National Charter, 1993". SomalilandLaw.com. May 1993. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ "Ergada Nabadaynta U Joogta Sool Oo Xabad-Joojin Kula Heshiisay Labadii Beelood Ee Colaaddu Ka Dhaxeysay" [Peace Delegation in Sool Negotiates Ceasefire Between Two Hostile Clans]. Haatuf (in Somali). No. 163. 2002-09-20. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ "Haatuf News, Cadadka 421, July 14, 2003" [Haatuf News, Issue 421, July 14, 2003]. Haatuf (in Somali). 2003-07-14. Retrieved 2026-05-05.