Our fellow Somalis, all of us are saddened by the news that our former and first President Aden Abdulle Osman passed away in Nairobi, Kenya. We extend to all President Aden's family our prayers and our condolences.

President Aden was a great man who devoted the best years of his life in serving the Somali Republic. He was a true gentleman who reflected the best in Somali's character.

President Aden made a history when he became the first African President to be democratically elected in July 1, 1960 when United Somalia took its independence from Italy and Britian. He stepped down from office when he lost 1967 presidential election to President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.

During his time in office, the Somali and other African people came to know President Aden as a man of complete integrity who led our country with common sense and kind instincts.

Somalis will always admire Aden's unflinching performance of duty and the honorable conduct of his administration, and the great rectitude of the man himself.

We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 1st President will always have a special place in our nation's memory.

President Aden lived 99 years, and his life was a blessing to Somalia. And now this fine man will be taken to his rest by a family that will love him always, and by a nation that will be grateful to him forever.

May God bless and have mercy on our beloved president Aden Abdulle Osman. Amin, Amin, Amin.


Farah Aw-Osman
Executive Director, Canadian Friends of Somalia