Somali-Canadian’s appointment as prime minister highlights ties between the countries

Word that Canadian-trained economist Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has been tapped to become Somalia's latest prime minister highlights the ties between the still-troubled African country and Canada.

If his appointment is confirmed by Somalia's parliament, Ahmed, a Somali-born Canadian citizen, would become the country's second prime minister in 14 months and the sixth in as many years, including another Canadian, the National Post reports.

According to Ahmed's CV, posted on Shabelle.net, he has a master's degree in economics from the University of Ottawa and is a Ph.D candidate in international trade and development. He also earned a diploma in computer programming at Ottawa's Algonquin College.

Ahmed came to Canada in 1998 and worked for the Bank of Canada before leaving in 2003 to work for the African Union, the Post noted.

"After a long consultations, I have taken the decision to name Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed as prime minister," the president told reporters in Mogadishu, according to Aljazeera. "He deserves to take up the responsibility... I hope that parliament endorses his nomination."

The Post noted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appointed Ahmed despite the fact he has no political experience.

“I hope that I will fulfill the duties I am entrusted with, and if parliament approves my nomination, I will swiftly name a high calibre cabinet,” Ahmed said, according to the AFP wire service cited by the Post.

Another Canadian, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, held the job from 2009 to 2010, the Post said.

Ahmed's progress doubtless will be closely watched by Canada's large Somali community, one of the largest in the world.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada estimates as there are as many as 170,000 Canadians of Somali descent – immigrants and Canadian-born. The largest community is centred in Metro Toronto.

Canada hasn't had an ambassador in Mogadishu since 1990 but has maintained ties to the Transitional Federal Government via its high commission in Nairobi, Kenya, the department says.

[ Related: Toronto police recruiters eye Somali-Canadian officers ]

Somalia has been an international no-go zone for decades as clan-based warlords and Islamist extremists battled for control of the country. Canada sees last year's election of Mohamud by the new parliament as a "critical step" towards creating a stable Somalia.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird hosted his Somali counterpart, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, in Ottawa last October, proclaiming a new era of ties between the two countries, Postmedia News reported.

Trade between the two countries remains thin but the Post noted a growing sense of security in the capital, backed by forces from the African Union, has encouraged many Somali-Canadians to return to start businesses, work with humanitarian groups and serve in government.

But the government's control outside Mogadishu remains contested by Al-Shabab and its allies. The Islamist terror group has been responsible for several recent bombings, including an attack that injured MP Sooyaan Abdi Warsame, who's Somali-Canadian.

Warsame, who lived in Toronto before returning to Somalia last year, returned to Canada last month for additional treatment of his injuries, the Post reported.

Although Al-Shabab's control has weakened, it still remains a dangerous presence, as witnessed by its bloody September attack at a Nairobi shopping mall that killed dozens of people, including two Canadians.

[ Related: Somali-Canadian parents propose solutions to violence ]

Canada also has been a recruiting ground for disaffected Somali-Canadian youth who've travelled to Somalia and joined Al-Shabab. A number have been killed in fighting.

As the Post reported last year, Somali-Canadian families have been alarmed by the lure online propaganda has provided for young men, while Ottawa has been concerned that those who've gone overseas to fight could ultimately return and cause trouble here.

But terrorism isn't the only threat to Somali-Canadian youth. Some have become players in the drug trade in Toronto and Alberta.

The Calgary Herald reported in 2011 that police estimate as many as 2,000 are involved, with more than 100 "strong targets" with criminal backgrounds operating in Edmonton and and the oil sands boom town of Fort McMurray.