Umar Ghalib

Umar Arteh Ghalib عمر عرتي غالب
7th Prime Minister of Somalia
In office 24 January 1991 – May 1993*
Preceded by	Muhammad Hawadle Madar
Succeeded by	Ali Khalif Galaydh (2000)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 1969–1977
Preceded by	Haji Farah Ali Omar
Succeeded by	Siad Barre
Personal details
Born	1930 (age 93–94)
Political party	Somali Youth League
*de facto to 3 January 1997

Umar Arteh Ghalib or Omer Carte Qalib (Somali: Cumar Carte Qaalib, Arabic: عمر عرتي غالب) (born 1930) is a prominent Somali politician. He was Prime Minister of Somalia from January 24, 1991 to May 1993. previously he served as foreign minister from 1969 to 1977. Ghalib was born in Somalia in 1927. He is belonged to the United Somali Congress.

Early life and Education

Ghalib was born in Northern Somalia (British Somaliland). He is a member of the Habr Awal Isaaq clan, and belonged to the United Somali Congress. He underwent elementary and intermediate education in Hargeisa and completed his secondary education in Sheikh, and his higher education in England where he was educated at Bristol University in the UK.

Career

Early career

He started his career as a school master and then headmaster of elementary schools of Las-Anod, Berbera and Hargeisa respectively. Just before he went to UK in 1956, he was appointed as vice principal of Sheikh Intermediate School. After his success in Sheikh, he went to England for higher Education. On his return in 1958 he was promoted as the first principal of Gabileh Intermediate Boarding School.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

From 1969 to 1977, Ghalib served as Foreign Minister. As Foreign Minister, in January, 1972 he was President of the United Nations Security Council.

In 1972, he mediated between Uganda and Tanzania. Ghalib Brought Somalia into the Arab League in 1974 during his term as Foreign Minister of Somalia.

Prime minister of Somalia

On 24 January 1991, he was appointed by then President of Somalia Siad Barre as the last Prime Minister of Somalia under the latter's regime.

After Barre's ouster, the next president, Ali Mahdi Muhammad, reappointed Ghalib as prime minister, a position Ghalib would hold until May 1993.

Imprisonment and trial

On 7 June 1982, Omar Arteh Ghalib and 16 other senior leaders were removed from all party and government posts and arrested. On 7 February 1988, the trial of Arteh, former vice president Ismail Ali Abokor and other indictees ended. Omar Arteh Ghalib was sentenced to death, but under pressure from the international community and human rights organizations Siad Barre saved his life and the death penalty was replaced by a prison term.