Abdirizak Muhumed is the Director of Policy Research and Strategic Division at the East African Group, where he leads research and analysis on governance, democratization, peace, and security. A seasoned researcher and senior analyst, he brings over a decade of experience in political settlements, urban displacement, local government formation, comparative federalism, and the evolving social contract in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Abdirizak is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, and a PhD research fellow at the Society, Work & Politics Institute (SWOP). He holds a Master of Arts in Political Studies, a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing and African Literature, and a BA (Hons) with distinction in Political Studies from Wits University. He also holds a BA in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

His research interests focus on the indigenization of state reconstruction in Somalia, governance and conflict in Africa, constitution-making in post-conflict contexts, and strategic approaches to development.