Abshir Aden Ferro
Abshir Aden Ferro (English: /əbʃə æden feɹəʊ/; born 20 February 1968) is a Franco-British-Somali entrepreneur who launched his political career in 2019 and aspiring to win the 2021 Somali Presidential Election..[1][2][3].
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Abshir Aden Ferro is an autodidact and self-taught leader who represents a new generation of Africans who want to change the face of the continent in every sense of the word[4]. Abshir has been a consulting member of the UN Contact Group on Somali Piracy[5] and represented the Somali government at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU Institutions in Brussels since 2004[6][7][8].
In 2019, Abshir founded his political party, the Alliance for the Future Party (Xisbiga Isbahaysiga Mustaqabalka)[9].
| Abshir Aden Ferro | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 20 February 1968 Mogadishu, Somalia |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Somali; French |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 🏛️ Political party | Alliance for the Future Party |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Sylvie Gallon |
| 👶 Children | 3 |
| 🌐 Website | Official campaign website |
Early life[edit]
Born in Mogadishu, he is the son of Saida Issa Botan, a senior police official having worked in the United Arab Emirates and Somali Armed Forces, and Mohamud Mohamed Aden Ferro, an anaesthesiologist having finished his career at the American Hospital, France. Mohamud Mohamed also became a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia on 29 August 2004[10] and has been a key player in the reconciliation of the Somali people. Abshir had a brother, Liban Aden Ferro, who was brutally stabbed to death on 16 January 1999 on an estate in Bobigny, in the suburbs of Paris[11].
Abshir Aden Ferro's family legacy is traced back to Saida's relative, Ahmed Botan, and Haji Esa Botan Gedi, her father. Ahmed Botan was a well-respected professor of Law in Somali National University, having published widely suggesting that the future of Somalia could be modelled on a constitutional apparatus which considers regionalism as a system which guarantees since it favours a subdivision of power[12]. After the collapse of the Somali State, Ahmed organised a number of conferences and initiatives in order to rebuild the foundations of Somalia[13].
Abshir Aden Ferro arrived in France in 1981 with his mother and brother following their departure from Somalia. He has been educated in a public school in Issy-les-Moulineaux and was admitted to the Scouts de France. In 1986 he went to join his mother in UAE where he had the opportunity to further develop his professional skills, education and his knowledge of the security field. He worked for the French Embassy as a consultant.
In July 1990, Abshir and his family settled in London, United Kingdom, and Abshir, aged 22, took advantage of the Erasmus Programme to learn English and pursue his education in England. He started to work as a security officer shortly after having finished his studies and decided to set-up a security company.
His passion for security is devoted to the memory of his brother Liban and the struggle of Somalis who have been victims of civil wars for decades; and his enjoyment of learning and helping others to his mother Saida.
Professional career[edit]
CEO at Fort Roche Grp[edit]
Having finished his studies in London, Abshir decided to specialise in security out of passion and atavism[14]. He thus created Fort Roche Group[15], a security company based in London, United Kingdom. During his time at Fort Roche Group, Abshir has been involved in notable security projects. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, his security company was appointed by the UK Government to provide security services to the City Council of Portsmouth with the aim to safeguard the homeless community[16]. The project has been visible in national press and the work conducted by Fort Roche Group has been commended by Hampshire Constabulary and the local Police Forces[17][18] and City Council of Portsmouth[19].
CEO at Danguud Development Organisation[edit]
In April 2010, Abshir Aden Ferro created Danguud Development Organisation[20], an organisation providing support to the educational and healthcare sectors in Somalia[21]. Danguud undertook charitable activities in Mogadishu and received interest from the local community[22].
CEO at Somsec[edit]
Abshir Aden Ferro created Somsec in November 2012[23] to provide security services to expatriates and foreign investors living and working in Somalia. Somsec is known for the work it undertook for the European Union during the construction of a EU compound in Mogadishu and for its legal battle against the Rapid SAS and Losberger [24][25][26]. Somsec and Abshir have supported the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation operating in Somalia[27].
CEO at Abshir Advisors[edit]
Abshir Aden Ferro created Abshir Advisors in April 2014[28], a company facilitating foreign direct investment by providing market evaluation and entry services. Abshir Advisors, together with Somsec (another of his companies), has been protecting members of the European Union during a large scope security project having taken place in Somalia[29]. This mission, which was undertaken with GardaWorld, became highly visible in the media following two denunciations made by Abshir Aden Ferro[30].
The first denunciation was concerning allegations and suspicions of illegal activities of fraud and corruption involving Rapid SAS and Losberger[31], which excluded GardaWorld[32][33]; and the second denunciation was related to a clause pertaining to the EU Tender Specifications EEAS-385-DIVA4-SERFWC (contract for the provision of full camp services framework for a EU compound located in Mogadishu, Somalia) which explicitly excluded Somalis Nationals from working on the contract[34]. The clause, denounced by Abshir stated “The contractor shall not employ Somali nationals or personnel of Somali origin for the provision of the Services on-site except for the construction phase". Both denunciations became legal court cases and are still ongoing as of 28 October 2020.
CEO at DAB Agriculture[edit]
In terms of its agriculture, fishery and natural resources, the wealth of Somalia has long been underestimated globally. Agriculture is indeed the most important economic sector. It accounts for about 65% of Somalia's GDP and employs 65% of the workforce. Livestock contributes about 40% to GDP and more than 50% of export earnings[35]. It is in 2018 that Abshir Aden Ferro created DAB Agriculture, a Somalia-focused agricultural company aiming to raise the quality and consistency of the Somali livestock product to international standards.
Political career[edit]
In his youth and early professional career, Abshir Aden Ferro has not worked directly for and had not been a member of any Somalian political party, mainly because he could not agree with their political views and initiatives[36][37]. Disagreeing with the current leadership of Somalia, Abshir decided to support his homeland by undertaking initiatives aimed to raise the security, safety, education, welfare and economic standards across the country, particularly in Mogadishu.
Abshir first became known to the Somali public after his appearance on a Somali TV Programme broadcasted by Royal TV in 2011, in which he introduced Danguud Development Organisation and discussed his vision for the Somali community. Before forming his political party Alliance for the Future Party, Abshir had hosted a series of events with him speaking in public and took various foreign trips, including a dozen to Somalia where he spoke on the advancement of security, education and preventative methods against corruption[38][39].
President of Alliance for the Future Party[edit]
Conscious of the rising tensions and deteriorating relations within the current Somalian government, Abshir founded an independent political party Alliance for the Future Party (Xisbiga Isbahaysiga Mustaqabalka) on the 4th November 2019. A liberal and progressive political movement that gathered substantial media coverage when it was first established, the party and Abshir were both reprimanded by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and the question of Ashir's capability for the higher office was raised. In September 2020, support for Abshir Aden Ferro and his movement, Alliance for the Future Party, began to grow in the media with RFI[40], Financial Afrik[41], Africa Press[42], All Africa[43], Diaro Publico[44], and Somali Nationals beginning to gather together and voice public support for Abshir in Mogadishu. Following several controversies surrounding corruption in the EU and the presence of Al-Shabaab in the Somalian Government, major newspapers began to run stories about Abshir and Alliance for the Future Party on their front page[45][46]. Abshir and his political party have been criticised by the Turkish Government, which gives its firm support for the incumbent president of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo[47].
Candidate for the 2021 Presidential Election of Somalia[edit]
Abshir Aden Ferro first showed intention to run for the 2021 Somalian presidential elections with the formation of his political party Alliance for the Future Party in November 2019. However, he formally declared his candidacy for the Somalia presidency after months of speculation on 01 September 2020[48]. In his announcement speech, Abshir called for a fight for the "common good" and promised to "restore the rule of law" in Somalia. A book was published on 01 September 2020 by Abshir to support his campaign titled "My Life for Somalia". The book has been co-authored with Bruno Fanucchi, a long-standing senior reporter for “Le Parisien”.
Abshir's campaign enjoyed considerable coverage from the Somali focused media. Dalsoor Media reported that Abshir had received extensive coverage across various news articles and thousands of followers online via Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Abshir Aden Ferro has been consistently labelled by Somali journalists and authors as the "social media candidate" and has been viewed as such in recent opinion polls. As of 28 October 2020, 90 different political parties are registered for the 2021 Somalian presidential elections[49].
Abshir accumulated an array of supporters, securing endorsements from Jean-Marie Bockel[50], a French politician who served as Secretary of State for Defence and Veterans in the government of Prime Minister François Fillon and who has written the foreword in Abshir's book “My Life for Somalia”; Phillipe Bohn[51], the former General Manager of Air Senegal; and Alain Madelin[52], former minister of Industry in Prime Minister Jacques Chirac's cabinet.
Political positions[edit]
Abshir is particularly known in the political and international spheres for his involvement in security, anti-corruption and counter-terrorism[53]. However, he is less known for his political positions, which have been outlined in his book and discussed during talk-shows and media appearances.
Economy[edit]
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Somalia, as of 2012 the country had some of the lowest development indicators in the world, and a "strikingly low" Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.285[54]. However, in terms of resources, Somalia is extremely wealthy compared to other African countries. For example, it has deposits of the clay mineral sepiolite, or meerschaum, in south-central Somalia which are among the largest known reserves in the world. It also has natural gas reserves that have been found but have not been exploited[55]
Abshir's approach to economic development is based on the understanding that security, law and order and criminal justice are the foundation of economic prosperity. He argued “I have repeatedly said that security is of course my priority and should be linked to the economic development that depends on it”[56].
Abshir also envisions the economic growth of Somalia through improved industrialisation (processing of raw materials and exploitation of subsoil), a more appropriate management of the sources of clear water coming from Ethiopia, the development of the travel and hospitality sectors, improvements in national infrastructure (roads, ports, running water, electricity) and foreign investments.
Education[edit]
According to a report from UNICEF, the poor quality of education in Somalia is reflected in students’ results. It mentions that children living with disabilities face even more challenges and adolescent girls are seldom able to complete secondary education[57]. Children in nomadic pastoralist communities are often denied their rights for an education. During his time as CEO of Danguud Development Organisation, Abshir had direct exposure to the educational needs of Somalia. This is mainly due to the fact that he has been working with families, schools, colleges and other charity organisations to understand where the barriers to education were and what should be done to improve public education.
Abshir argues that women are key players when this comes to education because “the education and benefits that come from the household come from the mother [...] she is the one who is in charge of the children’s education and health”[58]. He further argues “Women are the key to rebuilding the country, and will have a vital role in future development. I intend to listen to them more, and make sure their voices are heard, to put them at the centre of my programme for Somalia, because the education of our children begins at home”.
Security and Terrorism[edit]
According to Abshir, security is the number one challenge faced by Somalia. He argues that without security, economic development cannot be achieved. He further argues that security will help to re-establish the foundations of the rule of law and foster a climate that is conducive to business and economic development. However, Abshir recognises the difficulties inherent to the achievement of security and political stability, namely the Al-Shaabab threat[59], which controls much of southern and central Somalia and threatens to overthrow the Transitional Federal Government and impose radical Islamic rule to the entire country[60]
Corruption[edit]
According to a report published by Transparency International, there is a broad consensus that Somalia faces many of the corruption challenges that affect conflict-torn countries, with widespread corruption permeating all sectors of government and seriously undermining the fragile peace-building process[61]. Conscious of the problems associated with corruption taking place in Somalia, Abshir Aden Ferro proposes the creation of a Ministry dedicated to combating corruption. He argues that “the creation [...] will give a strong signal to all Somalis so they understand that the rules have changed”[62]. By doing so, he continues, “foreigners will be encouraged to invest in our nation and will have more assurance”. Recognising that corruption is present amongst politicians and senior officials, Abshir proposed a radical reformation of the public institutions to place the responsibility on public servants.
Personal life[edit]
Abshir is married to Sylvie Gallon, who is a Hotel General Manager since 2013 in the United Kingdom. Sylvie is a catholic who is attached to spirituality and who is passionate about magnetism, numerology and meditation. Sylvie and Abshir met on the 16th of January 2007. Abshir has three children from previous marriages, two girls and one boy, but Sylvie has no children of her own.
In addition to his native Somalian, Abshir speaks French, English and Arabic. He enjoys classical music, theatre and walking outdoors with his wife Sylvie.
Smiles in Somalia[edit]
#SmilesInSomalia is Abshir Aden Ferro's first online campaign which shared a first-hand view of what is really happening in his nation, through the eyes of the local people and their stories. From an awareness perspective, the power of storytelling was introduced to document Abshir's recent experiences in Somalia, displaying thriving local markets, the city nightlife as well as the popularity of the beach and the importance of the maritime industries to share what has changed since the civil war, and equally, what hasn't.
Publication[edit]
- Abshir Aden Ferro and Bruno Fanucchi (2020), My Life for Somalia. Africa Press. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9 Search this book on
.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Somalia: Presidential election for hope". Revue Conflicts. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Who is Abshir Aden Ferro, 2021 presidential candidate in Somalia". The Afrinik. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Ferro, Abshir Aden. "Abshir Aden Ferro". Abshir Aden Ferro. Retrieved December 15, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "United Nations Security Council Report" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. p. 264. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia" (PDF). UK Parliament. p. 40. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "ACE-Siam2014 : Mr ABSHIR Aden Ferro : SOMALIE (Affaires Etrangères)". Youtube. Retrieved November 3, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Girard, Renaud (2014). Le Monde en Marche. Paris: CNRS Editions. pp. 57–61. ISBN 978-2271079916. Search this book on
- ↑ "Alliance For The Future Party (AFP)". Alliance For The Future Party (AFP). Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "List of members of the Somali Transitional Federal Parliament". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Liban était mort poignardé dans une cité de Bobigny". Le Parisien - In French. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Bootaan, Axmed Ashkir (1994). "Somalia: Stato Regionale O " Cantonizzazione Clanica "?". Il Politico. 59 (1 (168)): 121–136. JSTOR 43101475 – via JSTOR.
- ↑ Aden Mohamoud, Abdullah (2008). State Collapse and Post-conflict Development in Africa: The Case of Somalia 1960-2001. Purdue University Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-1557534132. Search this book on
- ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Fort Roche Grp". UK Companies House. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Homeless turn Southsea Ibis hotel into 'massive cesspit' with faeces 'left everywhere' and items smashed". The News. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 189. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Thank you letter" (PDF). Fort Roche Grp. Retrieved November 12, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Supporting Rough Sleepers" (PDF). Fort Roche Grp. Retrieved November 12, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Danguud Development Organisation". UK Companies House. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Abshir Sylvain Aden". Africa Intelligence. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Abshir Aden Ferro - Danguud Development Organisation". Youtube. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somsec". UK Companies House. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "European compound: from trade war to court battle". Africa Intelligence. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "France's financial prosecutor searches Garda and Losberger offices over EU contract in Somalia". Intelligence Online. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Aden files fresh suit against Losberger and Garda over Somalia". Intelligence Online. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Using eDahab, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provide $1 Million to 1000 families in Somaliland". Horn Diplomat. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Abshir Advisors". UK Companies House. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Bohn, Philippe (2018). Profession: Agent d'Influence. Paris: Editions Plon. pp. 105–106. ISBN 978-2-259-26443-3. Search this book on
- ↑ "Somsec secures Europeans with Garda". Africa Intelligence. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somsec blocks Rapid in the construction of EU compound". Africa Intelligence. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Belgium offices of Montreal-based GardaWorld raided by French police in corruption probe". Toronto City News. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Belgium offices of Montreal-based GardaWorld raided by French police in corruption probe". National Post. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Services - 356132-2014". Tenders Electronic Daily. p. 4. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somalia". The World Factbook. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Somalia Urged to Delay Parliamentary Polls". All Africa. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Expédition dans le fief des pirates somaliens". Le Figaro - In French. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "World Peace Forum 2020: Abshir Aden Ferro Candidate for the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Somalia to be Held in Early 2021". Frequence Sille. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somali presidential candidate vows to fight corruption and al-Shabaab". RFI. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somalie : Abshir Aden Ferro active ses réseaux français". Financial Afrik. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Abshir Aden Ferro lance depuis Paris sa campagne de candidat à l'élection présidentielle en Somalie". Africa Presse. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somalia: Somali Presidential Candidate Vows to Fight Corruption and Al-Shabaab". All Africa. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Abshir Aden Ferro quer "1460 dias" para mudar o futuro da Somália". Publico - In Portuguese. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Abshir Aden Ferro: Why Somalia's parliamentary elections could boost Al-Shabab". RFI. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somali presidential candidate vows to fight corruption and al-Shabaab". RFI. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Turkish influence comes under fire in presidential campaign". Africa Intelligence. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Registered Political Parties". National Independent Electoral Commission. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 169. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Horn of Africa - Perspectives on Stability". Tactics Institute for Security and Counter Terrorism. Retrieved October 30, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somalia Human Development Report 2012" (PDF). UNDP. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Somalia Economy". Britannica. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Education, Every child has the right to learn". Unicef. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 69. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
- ↑ "Abshir Aden Ferro : « La Somalie ne doit pas tomber aux mains des Shebabs »". L'Afrique Aujourd'hui. Retrieved December 15, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Somalia" (PDF). UK Government. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Somalia" (PDF). UK Government. Retrieved October 28, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Aden Ferro, Abshir; Fanucchi, Bruno (2020). My Life for Somalia. Paris: Africa Press. p. 65. ISBN 978-2-9573561-1-9. Search this book on
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