Diplomat Abdulrahim Abby Farah passes away at 98

[Deeq A.]

One of Somalia’s most accomplished diplomats, Abdulrahim Abby Farah, has passed away early Monday morning at his home in New York.  He was 98.

Abukar Dahir Osman (Balle), the current Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations, confirmed the death to Hiiraan Online.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Abdulrahim. On behalf of the Somali government, we wish to extend our condolences to his family and friends. Abdulrahim was an outstanding diplomat who represented the people of Somalia wonderfully. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” said Abukar Dahir Osman.

Farah, who held a number of high-profile diplomatic posts during his career is most remembered as being Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the UN as well as Somalia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. He also served as Somalia’s representative to the League of Arab States (now the Arab League), Council of Ministers and the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union).

While in New York, Farah was the Chairperson for the UN’s Special Committee Against Apartheid and was described by his peers as “determined” to press for effective international sanctions against the regime in South Africa. He was also the Undersecretary-General for Special Political Questions.

Abdulrahim Abby Farah was born on October 22, 1919, in Barry, Wales,  a seaside resort town just 14 km southwest of Cardiff. He attended Exeter College and went on to graduate from Oxford University. His father, Abby Farah MBE was a colonial seaman who arrived in Wales sometime in the last quarter of the 18th century.

After graduating from university, Farah began his diplomatic career with the Trust Territory of Somaliland and after independence was one of the Somali Republic’s leading diplomats.

Farah is survived by his five children.