Friday, March 23, 2012

Ailing former president dies at the age of 78

Somalia’s former president Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed has passed away in Dubai hospital.

Somalia’s former president Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed

The ailing president was in hospital in recent months.

His family sources confirmed the death of the former president in UAE.

Abdullahi Yusuf was an army colonel and led first armed rebellion group by the name Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF).

Abdullahi Yusuf was once quoted saying “I wouldn’t have started to take up arms if I knew Somalia would end up like this” referring to his armed resistance against former Somali president Mohammed Siad Bare.

He became the president of the transitional federal government of Somalia in 2004, and forced to resign in 2008 after an intense dispute with his prime minister Hassan Hussien (Nur Ade).

Yusuf was the founder of semi autonomous region of Puntland in 1998 and it’s first president.

Family sources say Abdullahi Yusuf will be buried in his birth-place Galkayo.

Source: Hiiraan Online

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