Daoud is a member of the
Afar ethnic group.[4] FRUD, fighting on behalf of Afar interests, began a rebellion against the
Issa-dominated government in 1991. Daoud led the moderate faction of FRUD in signing a peace agreement with the government in December 1994. As a result of the agreement,[5] he joined the government (together with one other FRUD member, Secretary-General
Ougouré Kiflé Ahmed[6][7]) as Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs on 8 June 1995.[3][6] Daoud's faction of FRUD also allied with the governing
People's Rally for Progress (RPP).[5] On 15–16 April 1997, FRUD held its First Congress; Daoud, who was already FRUD President, remained in that position at the congress.[4] Daoud was elected to the National Assembly in the
December 1997 parliamentary election[3] as the first candidate on the joint candidate list of the RPP and FRUD for
Tadjourah Region.[8]
Daoud was moved from his post as Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs to that of Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and the Sea on 12 May 1999;[9] he was also assigned responsibility for hydraulic resources.[3] After holding that post for two years, he was omitted from the government that was appointed on 4 July 2001.[10] FRUD held its Second Ordinary Congress on 28–29 April 2002, and Daoud was re-elected as FRUD President.[11]
Daoud was re-elected in the
January 2003 parliamentary election[3] as the first candidate on the candidate list of the ruling coalition, the Union for a Presidential Majority (UMP), in Tadjourah Region.[12] In this election, the other, more radical wing of FRUD, led by
Ahmed Dini Ahmed, participated in the election as part of the opposition; Daoud criticized Ahmed as a "perpetual loser".[13]
President
Ismail Omar Guelleh awarded the medal of the Commander of the Great Star of Djibouti to Daoud and Ougouré Kiflé Ahmed during independence day celebrations on 27 June 2004.[14] At FRUD's Third Congress, held on 30–31 May 2007, Daoud was re-elected as President of FRUD by acclamation, without opposition.[15] He was again re-elected to the National Assembly in the
February 2008 parliamentary election as the second candidate on the UMP's candidate list for the
city of Djibouti.[16]