St. Cloud woman: I want to be Somalia's first female president

Anab Dahir
In a Friday, May 22, 2015 photo, St. Cloud, Minn., resident Anab Dahir talked about her plans to run for president of Somalia in 2016.
Jason Wachter | St. Cloud Times via AP

A St. Cloud, Minn., woman says it's time for a woman to lead Somalia — and she's preparing to run for the position.

Anab Dahir has lived in St. Cloud since 2008 and works as a medical clinic interpreter.

"My goal is, I want to be the woman who is challenging the man," Dahir said, adding that men haven't succeeded in rebuilding the country over the past 25 years.

"Now, it's the turn of women," she said.

Somalia's presidential election is set to happen next year after decades of civil war. Signs of stability in recent years and the first recognized central government in years are offering tepid hope for the war-torn nation. A democratic vote by the masses would be one more achievement if it's successful.

Dahir joined MPR News' Tom Weber to talk about her plans.

Weber asked her about her visit to Somalia in 2013 and what she saw in her home country:

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.