Sharmarke Ali Saleh

Haji Sharmarke Ali Saleh
الحاج شرماركي علي صالح
Governor and Pasha of Zeila and Berbera
Reign1810s–1830s (Influential native trader based in Berbera), 1845–1852 (Berbera rule), 1841–1855 (Zeila rule), 1857–1861 (2nd term rule of Zeila)[1]
PredecessorMohamed el-Barr
SuccessorAboubakr Pasha
Bornc. 1775
Maydh, Isaaq Sultanate
DiedMay 25, 1861
ReligionSunni Islam

Sharmarke Ali Saleh (Somali: Sharma'arke Cali Saalax; c. 1775 – May 25, 1861) was a leading 19th century Somaliland leader, captain, and merchant. He was known as "The African Rothschild " which indicates he was one of the richest men living on the African continent at that time and also the 'Political Boss of the Somaliland coast', a title which is a testament to his political influence in the region. [2] He was the governor and ruler of Zeila and Berbera between 1841 and 1861, and for a time was known as the richest man along the Somaliland coast. His descendants would go on to become the traditional leaders of the Musa Arreh sub-clan of the Habr Yunis clan.

  1. ^ Alwan, Daoud (2000). Historical Dictionary of Djibouti. Scarecrow. p. 12. ISBN 9780810838734.
  2. ^ Marston, Thomas E. Britain's Imperial Role in the Red Sea Area, 1800–1878. Hamden: Conn., Shoe String Press, p. 473, 1961.