Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in self-isolation.
On Friday, June 24, the 66-year-old President returned to the country from the United Arab Emirates, where he had made his first official trip abroad since his election on May 15.
On June 22, the official Somali President’s Twitter account shared a video of him wearing a mask and meeting the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also met Somalis living in the United Arab Emirates.
Sharing news of his diagnosis, the new Somalian President said;
“My fellow citizens, I would like to inform you that today I tested positive for COVID-19. So far, I have no symptoms but I will continue to self-isolate and serve the people of #Somalia from home.”
Mohamud is a former academic and peace activist who served as president from 2012 to 2017, but his first term was marred by allegations of corruption and infighting.
According to the health ministry, Somalia has recorded 26,748 COVID-19 cases and 1,361 deaths.
Mohamud was re-elected president in May after winning the presidential election for the second time, having previously served from 2012 to 2017.