Our Mission
About Civitas Policy Institute
Our Vision
A peaceful, stable, and politically cohesive Africa anchored in democratic governance.
Our Mission
CPI is committed to advancing robust conflict-prevention efforts, promoting preventive diplomacy, strengthening governance and electoral systems to deter post- election violence and political conflict, and engaging in policy dialogues that advance political stability, peace, and security.
Organizational Overview
The Civitas Policy Institute (CPI) is an independent, nonpartisan Think Tank headquartered in
Nairobi, Kenya, with plans to open country offices throughout the Horn and East Africa region.
The Institute was established in 2025 to contribute to the prevention of regional conflicts, their
resolution, mediation, peace, and security.
We envision a future where democratic governance thrives, fostering peace and security throughout the Greater Horn of Africa and beyond.
Civitas Policy Institute has been recognized for its impactful work with various awards, underscoring our commitment to excellence in promoting governance and peacebuilding.
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CPI BOARD MEMBERS
DR. GRACE ONGILE
Chairperson
Dr. Grace has over 28 years of experience in regional strategy development, policy formulation, and project management. Her previous leadership roles include senior positions at the United Nations, the African Union’s NEPAD and APRM, and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).
MR. MOHAMED BIHI YONIS
Deputy Chairperson
H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Bihi Yonis previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland. Mr. Mohamed has over 40 years of experience in international development and diplomacy. H.E. Yonis spent over 17 years at the United Nations, leaving as an Assistant Secretary-General, serving as the Deputy Joint Special Representative for Operations and Management in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur.
DR. LYNN FREDRIKSSON
Member
Lynn Fredriksson was the former Executive Director at Sahan Research. She previously served as Senior Director for Southern Africa and Senior Director for the Global Human Rights Defenders Fund at Freedom House in Washington, D.C. Earlier, she worked as a Researcher on the Horn of Africa for Amnesty International and as Advocacy Director for Africa with Amnesty International USA.
JAWAHIR YUSUF HAJI ADAM
Member
Her Excellency, Ambassador Jawahir Yusuf Haji Adam, is a seasoned diplomat, appointed Somalia – China ambassador, humanitarian expert, and global thought leader with over two decades of experience in forced migration, refugee affairs, and international development. She was shortlisted in 2019 for the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement and played a pivotal role in shaping the Tripartite Agreement among Somalia, Kenya, and UNHCR.
Prof. PLO Lumumba
Member
Professor PLO Lumumba is the Founder of the PLO Lumumba Foundation and a consultant with Lumumba and Lumumba Advocates, a member of the Africa Justice Group (AJG). Professor PLO is an internationally certified mediator. He is the former Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law, a former Secretary and Chief Executive of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC), and a former Director and Chief Executive of the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), now Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
DR. SAAD ALI SHIRE
Member
H.E. Dr. Saad Ali Shire served as a Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and National Development, and the Ministry of Finance of Somaliland (2010-2024). During his tenure, he led major institutional reforms across those Ministries.
Senait Dimitri
Member
Senait has over 10 years of experience as a business consultant, procuring deals and connecting foreign national ambassadors, government officials, presidents, policymakers, and multinational organizations to create strategic partnerships in the renewable energy sector.
Nancy Kalembe Linda
Member
Ms. Nancy is the Director of Kumeeza Financial Services. In 2021, she ran a nationwide presidential campaign as the only female candidate in the Uganda National General Elections. She has had the opportunity to work in a wide range of Industries, including service, Construction, Manufacturing, Fashion, Beauty, Agriculture, Media, Advertising, Banking, and oil and gas. Working for Micro, Small, Medium, and Multinational Enterprises.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Amb. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamoud
Executive Director
H.E Amb. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamoud is currently the Executive Director of Civitas Policy Institute. H.E. Mohamoud has 20 years of professional experience in international development cooperation, governance, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, policy dialogue, public policy, electoral development, election observation, democratization, gender issues, human rights, fragile states, and post-conflict state-building. He served as the Representative of the Republic of Somaliland to the Republic of Kenya from 2022 to June 2025. From 2019 to 2021, he was a senior policy advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somaliland, where he represented the government in international negotiations and donor coordination meetings. Mohamoud was the Executive Director of Somaliland Non-State Actors, the largest civil society and non-state actors’ organization in the Horn of Africa, which consisted of more than 200 civil society and all non- state actors’ groups, including universities, business, lawyers, human rights, media associations, among others, from 2010-2019. Mohamoud holds a PhD in political science, and he is the author of ” State–Building of Somaliland: Understanding the Nexus of Democracy, Clan, and Islam 2026.
Lucy Achieng Wagoro
Corporate Executive Secretary
Lucy is a dynamic professional with a strong background in international program coordination, policy advocacy, education, and community development. She currently serves as the Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs at Civitas Policy Institute, advancing civic engagement and governance across the Greater Horn of Africa. Since 2022, Lucy has also served as the International Program Coordinator for the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF), leading global initiatives focused on youth empowerment, leadership, and interfaith dialogue across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the U.S.A.