Hargeisa (SD) – Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Carte Qalib has died in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa today.

Omar Carte Qalib has held various positions in the former government of Mohamed Siad Barre and in the government of Ali Mahdi as interim Prime Minister.

Omar Carte Qalib has been ill in recent months in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, where his son, also a former PM recently traveled to be with his ill father.

The President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi has sent his condolences to the family and friends of the late Omar Carte Qalib.

“The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, on behalf of himself, the government and the people of Somaliland, sends his condolences to the politicians, intellectuals, elders, scholars, family, relatives, friends, and the people of the Republic of Somaliland. The late Omar Carte Qalib passed away this afternoon on 18/11/2020 in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.” said the president’s statement.

The Somali federal government offered its condolence on the death of Omar Carte, describing him as an elder statesman, who had played a significant role in the country’s history.

“May God have mercy on him. The late Omar Carte Qalib played a key role in the beginning of our nationhood. He served as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. We remember his efforts to make the Somali Nation more visible in the international political arena. ” said an statement from Villa Somalia.

The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, has in a released statement appointed an eight-member national funeral committee for Omar Carte Qalib.