in december 1999, dileita was charged with negotiating a peace agreement with a faction of the front for the restoration of unity and democracy (frud); the negotiations led to the signing of an agreement in february 2000. he became ambassador to uganda in mid-2000. after long-time prime minister barkat gourad hamadou resigned for health reasons in february 2001, president ismail omar guelleh appointed dileita as prime minister on march 4, 2001, and he took office on march 7. he had no prior experience as a minister.