His Excellency Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman stands as one of Somalia’s most consequential diplomats in the modern era — a voice of sovereign advocacy, multilateral engagement, and steadfast representation at the United Nations in New York.
Appointed in July 2017 as Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the United Nations, Ambassador Osman has navigated a decade marked by challenges and opportunities for his country’s political resurgence after years of conflict and instability. In the halls of the UN, he is Somalia’s chief envoy, articulating national priorities and forging international cooperation on peace, development, human rights, and security.
A lifelong public servant, Ambassador Osman’s experience bridges both national governance and international diplomacy. He served in significant administrative roles within Somalia’s civil service and international human rights engagements before taking on the UN role, garnering professional acumen that underscores his work at the world body.
Diplomatic Leadership on the World Stage
Under his stewardship, Somalia achieved a historic milestone — election to the United Nations Security Council, returning after more than five decades. In January 2026, Somalia held the presidency of the Security Council, where Ambassador Osman guided debates on key global issues and highlighted the central role of multilateral cooperation. 
His contributions have also included serving as a Vice-President of the UN General Assembly, a role that reflected the confidence of his peers in his diplomatic experience and leadership.
Leading Somalia’s Response to the Israel–Somaliland Controversy
In late December 2025, a major geopolitical development thrust Ambassador Osman and Somalia into the global spotlight: Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state, a unilateral move that shattered decades of Somali territorial policy and drew widespread international debate. 
Somalia’s government and Ambassador Osman responded forcefully at an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened to address the issue. Speaking on behalf of Somalia and in concert with other member states, he condemned the recognition as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law — labeling Israel’s action a dangerous precedent with potential implications for regional stability and peace. 
The controversy was further amplified by sharp exchanges during the Security Council session: according to multiple reports, Ambassador Osman rejected accusations from the Israeli delegation — including claims tied to historical grievances — as inappropriate and morally indefensible, asserting Somalia’s commitment to upholding its sovereignty and principles. 
This debate also highlighted broader divisions within the Council, including defences of Israel’s recognition by the United States, which argued that states have the right to determine diplomatic relations, and backlash from other UN members and regional organisations who echoed Somalia’s concerns about peace and legality. 
The issue remains a defining diplomatic challenge for Somalia and its UN mission, and Ambassador Osman’s leadership in articulating Mogadishu’s position underscores his role not only as a representative but as a principal negotiator in complex international disputes.
A Lasting Impact
From championing Somalia’s return to global decision-making forums to standing at the forefront of contemporary debates on territorial integrity and international law, Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman embodies the evolving role of Somali diplomacy on the world stage. His career continues to reflect a dedication to sovereign representation, principled negotiation, and a vision of Somalia’s place within the international community.