Councillor Mohamed Makawi (Bristol City Council) UK

Councillor Mohamed Makawi is a Green Party representative for the Cotham ward on Bristol City Council. He was first elected in May 2021 and retained his seat in the 2024 council elections. A former aircraft maintenance engineer by training. Makawi has lived in Cotham for over 20 years. He helped launch Bristol Community FM (BCFM) in 2007 and co-founded the city’s Sudanese Community Association. In office he has focused on practical local issues – promoting clean air and pollution reduction, reliable public transport, efficient waste collection and safer streets – reflecting his commitment to both environmental protection and community well-being.

Early Life and Professional Background:
Makawi grew up in Sudan and later studied aircraft engineering in India. In 1997 he moved to Bristol to train at the British Aircraft Company in Filton, a necessary step to qualify as an aircraft maintenance engineer. He worked in aviation for many years, applying his technical training in the local aerospace industry. Alongside his engineering career, Makawi pursued media studies; he studied media and broadcasting and in 2007 helped establish Bristol Community FM (BCFM), where he presented two weekly radio shows for over a decade.

Community and Civic Engagement: 
Throughout his time in Bristol, Makawi has been deeply involved in community activism. He was one of the founders of Bristol’s Sudanese Community Association, serving in leadership roles (including cultural and media secretary) to support Sudanese immigrants and celebrate their heritage. He is also active in anti-discrimination and human-rights organizations, working on issues affecting refugees, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. This civic engagement reflects his long-standing commitment to social justice and community support.

Political Career and Council Work: 
Makawi joined the Green Party in 2015, and ran as the Green candidate in Cotham ward. He was elected to Bristol City Council in May 2021 (alongside fellow Green Cllr. Guy Poultney) and successfully defended his seat in the May 2024 elections. In the council’s 2024–25 leadership shake-up, he was appointed Deputy Green Group Whip. He serves on key council bodies, notably as a member of the Development Control (Planning) Committee B opencouncil.network. (Under Bristol’s new committee system, Green Party members also chair several policy committees, though Makawi’s role is primarily as deputy whip and committee member.) On the council, Makawi emphasizes Green priorities in a practical way. He advocates policies for cleaner air and reduced pollution, and pushes for better public transportation (buses and trains) and waste services in his ward. For example, he regularly organizes local clean-up efforts – picking up litter and unblocking drains – and campaigns on issues such as more reliable bin collections and road/rail service improvements. He is also vocal on community safety: he works with residents and police to reduce anti-social behavior, and has demanded action on street lighting, graffiti and fly-tipping. (In late 2023 Cllr. Makawi issued an apology and completed additional training after sharing an online post about the Gaza conflict that was later found to contain inaccuracies.

Key Initiatives and Achievements:

1. Knife Crime and CCTV Motion (2023): In March 2023, following the fatal stabbing of a young man in Castle Park, Makawi successfully led a full-council motion to tackle knife crime. The motion committed £650,000 to improve CCTV coverage and other safety measures across Bristol, and was passed by the council. Mr. Makawi highlighted that steps like better lighting, emergency “bleed kits” in night-time venues, and community outreach could help save lives. He said the vote sent “a clear message that Bristol can, and will, do more to tackle knife crime and, most importantly, its causes.”
2. Kingsdown Sports Centre Campaign (2021–22): Cllr. Makawi co-led a campaign to save the Kingsdown Sports Centre in Cotham when the city council proposed closing it. In late 2021 he and Cllr. Poultney organized a petition calling on the Mayor and Cabinet to reverse the closure decision. Though the council ultimately decided to transfer management rather than shut the centre, Makawi’s advocacy drew attention to the community’s need for affordable sports facilities.
   Public Transport Improvements: Makawi has pressed for better transport links in his ward. He cites credit for securing more frequent train services on the Avonmouth–Temple Meads line and the introduction of direct trains to North Somerset during his term. These changes have been popular with commuters in Cotham and neighboring areas. He continues to lobby the city and local operators for reliable bus routes and infrastructure that support cyclists and pedestrians.
3. Local Environmental and Community Actions: At the grassroots level, Makawi is known for hands-on service. He often participates in or leads community litter-picks and drainage-clearance projects in his ward. He also works with local schools and charities to involve youth in green projects, reflecting his view that practical action (from clean-ups to community gardening) strengthens neighbourhood resilience.

In summary, Councillor Mohamed Makawi combines his technical background and media skills with a hands-on approach to local issues. He has taken a leadership role within the Green group on council, co-authoring motions and serving on committees to advance environmental and social priorities in Bristol. His work – from securing new safety funding to improving transport and saving community amenities – has made him a prominent figure in Bristol local government, known for pragmatic solutions and active engagement with constituents