News / Politics
Yassin Mohamud becomes lord mayor of Bristol
The public gallery overlooking the council chamber at City Hall was packed with the friends and family of Yassin Mohamud as he was sworn in as Bristol’s lord mayor for the new civic year.
A former refugee who fled war in Somalia, the Green councillor for Lawrence Hill said he wanted to use the largely ceremonial role to celebrate Bristol’s diversity, and showcase different cultures and faiths.
Mohamud, our city’s first lord mayor of Somali origin, said that becoming lord mayor was the “greatest privilege of my life”.
The outgoing lord mayor, Conservative councillor Henry Michallat, has now become the deputy mayor.
The public gallery was packed as Yassin Mohamud was sworn in as lord mayor – photo: Rob Browne
Mohamud, who lives in St Jude’s, was born in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, and grew up in the south of the country.
He later worked in the government’s plant protection department, before fleeing the war there and coming to Bristol with his family 20 years ago.
“Like so many people who arrive in a new country, the transition was not easy,” the new lord mayor said during a full council meeting on Tuesday.
“But luckily for me, the city I arrived in was Bristol.
“Moving to a country is a great challenge. You must learn a new language and new customs, and work out unfamiliar systems.
“You must find schools for your children, a job, and most importantly, find community.
“Like many people in our city, my understanding of politics did not begin in a formal setting. It came from my lived experience of moving to Bristol.
“It came from seeing how decisions affect everyday life, the quality of housing, the safety of streets, the opportunities available to young people, and whether communities feel seen and heard.”
Yassin Mohamud will be lord mayor for the next 12 months – photo: Rob Browne
Following the evacuation of Barton House in 2023, Mohamud worked with colleagues to push for changes that better support residents affected by unsafe housing conditions.
He has since supported efforts to reopen and protect community spaces in tower blocks.
Tim O’Gara (right), Bristol City Council’s director of legal & democratic services, watched as Yassin Mohamud received his chains of office on Tuesday, while at the same time O’Gara was being approved as director of law & governance and monitoring officer at a meeting of Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council – photo: Rob Browne
This article is published as part of the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service. Another website in Bristol is making its readers pay for LDRS stories but at Bristol24/7 we will never have a paywall. If you want to support our independent journalism, please consider becoming a member from just £3 per month.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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