Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
Encyclopedia
Aden Abdulle Osman Daar (1908 – June 8, 2007), popularly known as Aadan Cadde, was a Somali
politician
and the country's first President from July 1, 1960 to June 10, 1967.
in the central Hiiraan
region to a Mudulood Hawiye
family.
(SYL) political party in 1944, a nationalist organization that campaigned for an independent Somalia
. Quickly rising through the ranks, Daar became the local secretary of the SYL's Beledweyne branch in 1946. A decade later, he became chairman of the national legislative assembly, and would eventually lead the SYL itself two years afterwards.
In the 1967 presidential election, Daar was defeated by Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
, his former Prime Minister. His term as president ended on June 10, 1967. Daar accepted the loss graciously, making history as the first leader in Africa to peacefully hand over power to a democratically elected successor.
Shermarke was assassinated two years later by one of his own bodyguards. The slaying led to an unopposed, bloodless coup d'état
by the Somali Army on October 21, 1969, the day after Shermarke's funeral. Spearheading the putsch was Major General
Muhammad Siad Barre
, who at the time commanded the army.
, Daar and about 100 other Somali politicians signed a manifesto
expressing concern over the violence and advocating reconciliation. He was summarily arrested, and remained imprisoned until the ultimate collapse of Barre's regime the following year.
, in southern Somalia.
On May 22, 2007, it was erroneously reported that he had died in a hospital in Nairobi
, Kenya
. He was, however, in critical condition
and on life support
. Daar died in hospital on June 8, 2007, at the age of 99.
The Transitional Federal Government
, then headed by former President of Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
, declared 21 days of mourning, complete with a national memorial service, and issued a statement that Daar would receive a state funeral. It also renamed Mogadishu International Airport
after him.
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and the country's first President from July 1, 1960 to June 10, 1967.
Biography
Aadan Cadde was born in 1908 in the town of BeledweyneBeledweyne
Beledweyne is a city in central Somalia. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river near the Ogaden, some 206 miles north of Mogadishu, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west...
in the central Hiiraan
Hiiraan
Hiran is an administrative region in south-central Somalia.-Overview:Hiiraan is bordered by the Somali Region of Ethiopia to the northwest, and the Somalian provinces of Galgudud to the northeast, Middle Shebelle) to the south, Lower Shebelle to the southwest, and Bay and Bakool to the west.The...
region to a Mudulood Hawiye
Hawiye
The Hawiye is a Somali clan. Members of the clan primarily live in central and southern Somalia, in the Ogaden and the North Eastern Province , and in smaller numbers in other countries. Like many Somalis, Hawiye members trace their ancestry to Irir Samaale...
family.
Somali Youth League
He joined the incipient Somali Youth LeagueSomali Youth League
The Somali Youth League was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.-History:...
(SYL) political party in 1944, a nationalist organization that campaigned for an independent Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. Quickly rising through the ranks, Daar became the local secretary of the SYL's Beledweyne branch in 1946. A decade later, he became chairman of the national legislative assembly, and would eventually lead the SYL itself two years afterwards.
Presidency
By the time Somalia gained its independence in 1960, Daar had attained widespread prominence as a nationalist figure. In short order, he was elected the country's first President, a position he would assume from 1960 to 1967.In the 1967 presidential election, Daar was defeated by Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President of Somalia from June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969...
, his former Prime Minister. His term as president ended on June 10, 1967. Daar accepted the loss graciously, making history as the first leader in Africa to peacefully hand over power to a democratically elected successor.
Shermarke was assassinated two years later by one of his own bodyguards. The slaying led to an unopposed, bloodless coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
by the Somali Army on October 21, 1969, the day after Shermarke's funeral. Spearheading the putsch was Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Muhammad Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
, who at the time commanded the army.
Civil war
In 1990, with the start of the civil warSomali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
, Daar and about 100 other Somali politicians signed a manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
expressing concern over the violence and advocating reconciliation. He was summarily arrested, and remained imprisoned until the ultimate collapse of Barre's regime the following year.
Later years
After his release, Daar spent the better part of his later years on his farm in JanaleJanale
-References:*...
, in southern Somalia.
On May 22, 2007, it was erroneously reported that he had died in a hospital in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. He was, however, in critical condition
Critical Condition
Critical condition is a medical state.Critical Condition may also be:* Critical Condition , an episode of the television series Sex and the City* Critical Condition , a 1987 comedy film...
and on life support
Life support
Life support, in medicine is a broad term that applies to any therapy used to sustain a patient's life while they are critically ill or injured. There are many therapies and techniques that may be used by clinicians to achieve the goal of sustaining life...
. Daar died in hospital on June 8, 2007, at the age of 99.
The Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
, then headed by former President of Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is a veteran Somali politician. He is one of the founders of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, as well as the Puntland State of Somalia, where he served as the autonomous region's first President...
, declared 21 days of mourning, complete with a national memorial service, and issued a statement that Daar would receive a state funeral. It also renamed Mogadishu International Airport
Mogadishu International Airport
Aden Adde International Airport , formerly known as Mogadishu International Airport, is the international airport for Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. It is named after Aden Abdullah Osman Daar, the first President of Somalia....
after him.