Barakat Gourad Hamadou

Barakat Gourad Hamadou served as the prime minister of Djibouti, an Afar national, from 1978 until his resignation in 2001 due to health reasons. He was reappointed in 1987, serving under President Hassan Gouled Aptidon. During his tenure, power was seemingly shared between Afar and Issa Somali communities, with ministry appointments following a formula to maintain ethnic balance. However, ethnic tensions were present, leading to cabinet crises and changes in prime ministers in the early years of self-government. After his resignation, Dileita Muhammad Dileita, also an Afar, was appointed prime minister by President Ismail Omar Guelleh, continuing the established balance of power.12