In May 2026, SPA Policy Lab Director Aweis Ahmed joined the Africa Programme at Chatham House as an SNF Visiting Fellow. He will be based in London for one year. During his fellowship, Aweis will conduct policy-relevant research on Somalia’s international and regional relations in a shifting global order, with the aim of supporting Somalia’s contributions to global governance. The research outputs will be jointly published by Chatham House and Somali Public Agenda. 

This fellowship builds on the Africa Programme’s successful hosting of visiting fellows from Mozambique and Sierra Leone between 2023 and 2025. Their work focused on supporting their countries’ roles as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Somalia is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the Council for a two-year term (January 1, 2025–December 31, 2026), alongside Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, and Panama.

Following Aweis Ahmed’s departure, Farhia Mohamud has been appointed Director of the SPA Policy Lab. She will also assume hosting responsibilities for the Adeeg Wanaag Podcast at Somali Public Agenda, succeeding Aweis. Farhia has been a key member of the SPA Policy Lab and has worked closely with Aweis over the past several years.

Farhia has been a researcher at Somali Public Agenda since 2021. She holds a Higher Diploma in Security Studies from the Higher Institute for Security Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from SIMAD University. At SPA, she has contributed to a range of research and design initiatives related to transitional justice, durable solutions, and fiscal accountability. She regularly authors analyses and reviews of Somalia’s national budget and its fiscal implications.