Remembering Abdirizak

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Abdirizak Warsame, a friend, colleague, and a pillar of Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) Somaliland’s efforts. Abdirizak’s tireless work as the voice for cheetahs in Somaliland has left an enduring legacy. Through his leadership and dedication, he brought CCF’s education and community outreach programs to life, making a profound impact on rural farmers, teachers, and schoolchildren.

Abdirizak was a dedicated, knowledgeable, and hardworking man. He had this incredible drive to take on any challenge and always seemed to know how to find a way forward. I often found myself wondering what fueled his relentless work ethic. Over time, I realized it came from something deeper: his love for his country, his people, and the natural world. That love wasn’t just something he talked about – it was something he lived every single day. While I sometimes worried that he pushed himself too hard, it was clear that his work brought him immense joy. Witnessing his passion and learning from him was a true honor.

When we first met, I was a first-time team lead in conservation, still finding my footing. Despite his vast experience and knowledge – enough that he could have easily been leading me—he always made sure I knew he valued me as his manager. That meant so much to me. Respect like that isn’t something you can take for granted, and having him openly express it was a gift I deeply appreciated.

The respect was mutual, and it created a connection I’ll always be grateful for. In his final months, especially as he battled illness, it became clear how much his teammates respected him too. Seeing their concern and care for him moved me deeply – it was a reflection of the incredible person he was.

In what would become his final update on the conservancy project, Abdirizak described the momentous progress achieved in the Geed-Deeble Conservancy:

Abdirizak also highlighted the inclusivity of the process, where representatives from each village – including women, youth, and elders – were chosen to negotiate and sign the FPIC agreement on behalf of their communities. The agreement outlined terms such as opportunities, restrictions, rights, and conflict resolution mechanisms, ensuring transparency and fairness. Abdirizak noted: “We are ensuring that inhabitants have a voice in every decision and can participate fully in shaping the future of the conservancy. Communities now have access to accurate and transparent information, empowering them to protect the land and wildlife that sustain them.”

Fiesta Warinwa, CCF’s community conservation consultant, remembers Abdirizak’s commitment to the communities: “Abdirizak and the CCF field team worked hard to gain the trust and confidence of the community. The signing of the FPIC agreement by the communities for the establishment of a Conservancy is a big conservation milestone for Somaliland. For close to three years, Abdirizak worked to ensure the Conservancy project became a reality. As CCF continues this important work, he will be with us in spirit.”

Abdirizak was described by our Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Laurie Marker, as “A voice for cheetahs in Somaliland; helping people appreciate the cheetah through his teachings to rural farmers in our Future Farmers of Africa training programs and to teachers and school learners in our Future Conservationists of Africa programs. He was a great friend to all he met and knew. We will all miss him, his cheerful smile, and his immense knowledge on the rural communities in Somaliland.”

Abdirizak’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the knowledge he shared, and the conservation milestones he helped achieve. His vision for a future where communities and wildlife thrive together will continue to inspire us as we honor his memory and commitment to a better world for people and cheetahs alike.

I still can’t believe that Abdirizak won’t be coming back to work with me in a week or two. I kept hoping and waiting for him to recover and return. Saying goodbye feels impossible, so instead, I’ll say this: it was truly an honor to know you, Abdirizak. You will always be a part of the CCF team and a true guardian of Somaliland’s nature, people, and wildlife.

Developing the Geed-Deeble Conservancy was made possible by a grant from Rainforest Trust.