Bur'i Mohamed Hamza was a Somali-Canadian politician. From August 2012 to January 2014, he was a Member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia. He later served as the State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia from January to October 2014, and subsequently as the State Minister of Finance until December 2014. He was the State Minister of the Premier's Office for Environment at the time of his death.
In May 2014, Hamza met with the Yemeni Ambassador to Somalia Fu'ad Mohamed Al Zorqah to discuss bilateral cooperation. The conference was held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry compound in Mogadishu and touched on a number of issues, including the launching of a direct flight between Mogadishu and Sana'a. Operated byAl Saeda Airlines, it is the first air route directly linking both capitals since the collapse of Somalia's former central government in 1991.
In May 2014, Hamza met with the Arab League Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Abdalla Idiris to discuss development cooperation. The conference was held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry compound in Mogadishu, and focused on the League of Arab States' commitment to support the post-conflict rebuilding process in member state Somalia. To this end, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar responded to a pledge by the Arab League Secretary GeneralNabil el-Araby to raise funds for the reconstruction initiatives in Somalia.
State Minister of Finance
On 25 October 2014, Hamza's term as State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ended following a Cabinet reshuffle. He was reassigned the State Minister of Finance office.
End of term
On 17 December 2014, Hamza's term as State Minister ended following the appointment of a new Prime Minister-designate, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. In his farewell speech, Hamza urged Somali youth to participate in the national reconstruction projects, and encouraged university students to further their studies and promote peace. He also called on Somali professionals in the diaspora to return home and take part in the local development initiatives.
State Minister of Premier's Office for Environment
On 6 February 2015, Hamza was appointed the State Minister of the Premier's Office for Environment.
Personal life
Hamza, a naturalized Canadian, was married with two children in Woodbridge, Ontario.
Death
Hamza died during an attack by at least four al-Shabab militants on the Hotel Naso-Hablod in Mogadishu on 25 June 2016. His room collapsed on him after it was damaged by a car bomb. The hotel was "frequented by apostate government workers", explained spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab to Reuters.
