18 Facts About Mohamed Nur

Mohamed Nur served as the Mayor of Mogadishu from 2010 to 27 February 2014.

Mohamed Nur was born to a family from the Udejeen sub-clan of the Hawiye.

Mohamed Nur was raised in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Mohamed Nur is married to Shamis, with whom he has six children and grandchildren from four of them.

Mohamed Nur subsequently pursued higher education studies, graduating from the University of Westminster.

In 2006, Mohamed Nur unsuccessfully campaigned for a seat as a Labour Party councillor in Fortune Green.

Mohamed Nur established and ran the Kentish Town Somali Welfare Association, the first such Somali community organization in Kentish Town.

In 2010, through his involvement with a Somali political organization in the diaspora, Mohamed Nur was appointed Mogadishu's new mayor.

Mohamed Nur took on the task believing he could effect positive change by "altering the mindset of the people" in the battle-scarred city.

Since taking office, Mohamed Nur's administration enacted a number of reforms in a bid to improve the city's security and service delivery, including starting a garbage collection program, erecting proper streetlights and providing around-the-clock electricity, sacking corrupt public officials, and offering formal police protection.

Mohamed Nur's administration started large-scale rehabilitation of roads and general infrastructure, with residents closely cooperating with the civil and police authorities to tighten up on security.

Mohamed Nur recognized the opportunity to transform Mogadishu although resources were limited.

Mohamed Nur sought external expertise and international cooperation, yet was careful to establish any partnerships.

Mohamed Nur narrowly escaped a planted car bomb in 2011 and a road-side explosive device the following year, which killed six army soldiers.

Mohamed Nur consequently entrusts his security detail to his cousin and travels around the city in an armoured convoy with personal guards.

Mohamed Nur chaired meetings discussing business licenses in the capital's newly established Chamber of Commerce, and organizes various development projects, including the renovation of shopping malls.

Mohamed Nur declined the position at a press conference, stating that he had not been consulted about the nomination.

In November 2014, Mohamed Nur announced the creation of the Social Justice Party, which has justice, unity and development platform.