The life and times of Aden Abdulle Osman

The book, President Aden Abdulla: His Life and Legacy is a memoir about Aden Abdulle Osman, affectionately known as “Aden Adde”, the first president of the Somali Republic. The book was written by Mohamed Isse Trunji, a Somali historian, and is his second major work, the other being Somalia: The Untold History 1941-1969. The author offers a detailed biography, tracing President Aden Abdulle Osman’s early life, education, struggles, and political career. The book immerses us in his complex and challenging journey, highlighting how he came to play an enduring role in the political development of the Somali Republic.  

In this review, I will delve into the book, exploring Aden Abdulle’s formative and political years. We will also reflect on the crucial lessons that can be gleaned by a generation keenly interested in Somali political history. 

Aden Abdulle Osman was born in 1908/1909 in Ceel Qurun, near Beledweyne, in then Italian Somaliland. His parents separated when he was an infant, and his mother passed away when he was just one year old, leaving him orphaned. His father was an anti-colonial fighter and a member of the Dervish movement led by Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan (the so-called Mad Mullah), and was based in Taleh, the Dervish stronghold. After the Dervishes and the Sayid were defeated, Aden’s father returned to a family that had lost all their livestock and wealth. He then became a nomadic camel herder, facing life-threatening dangers which ultimately culminated in a deadly lion attack that left him severely wounded and permanently disabled. 

As a result, Aden faced immense hardship from a young age, forced to be self-reliant and to struggle for survival. He began working as a waiter and dishwasher in restaurants, often for long hours, which eventually caused skin ailments that required treatment. This arduous work was often his sole source of income, as his father was now disabled and there was no external support. 

Aden Abdulle’s life was continuously marked by adversity, most notably in his pursuit of education. While in Baidoa, he enrolled in a school established by the Italians, viewing it as a monumental opportunity. However, he struggled to balance school with work, as he had no financial backing. Caught in this dilemma, young Aden shared his predicament with his compassionate Italian teacher, Giuseppe Tusso, who responded by giving him a job as a cook’s helper, providing him with a small wage to support himself. Later in life, Aden expressed immense gratitude to that teacher, saying that “he was very generous” to him in his early years in Baidoa, and that he was “a man he cannot forget, and never will.” 

Growing up amidst such relentless challenges – losing his mother in infancy, and later his father – left Aden completely orphaned and alone, facing the world on his own.  

Despite such a harsh upbringing, when Abdulle became president, his political life bore no resemblance to the power-grabbing and wealth accumulation that characterised, and still characterise, many African leaders. 

He had to raise himself, while also enduring the racism of the fascist Italian colonisers, which profoundly affected his life. Despite such a harsh upbringing, when Abdulle became president, his political life bore no resemblance to the power-grabbing and wealth accumulation that characterised, and still characterise, many African leaders. Instead, he championed transparent governance, anti-corruption efforts, democratic principles, and national welfare. It is for this reason that Abdi I. Samatar referred to Aden Abdulle and Abdirizak H. Hussein as Africa's First Democrats, noting that their democratic leadership was rare on a continent often crippled by “personal rule” that undermined state ownership and identity. 

In 1943, the Somali Youth Club (SYC) was founded and later renamed the Somali Youth League (SYL) – a nationalist party dedicated to achieving independence and unifying the fragmented Somali territories. The SYL’s establishment marked a turning point for Aden Abdulle, who joined the party in Baidoa in 1944. There, he became a political ally to major anti-colonial figures such as Sheikh Ali Jimale (1905–1979) and Abdullahi Isse (1921–1988), the latter of whom would later become Prime Minister of Internal Administration (1956–1960). 

Aden Abdulle held numerous political positions in Italian Somalia, including twice serving as chairman of the SYL, and as deputy chairman of the Territorial Council. He also served as Speaker of the Internal Parliament (1956–1959). These roles shaped his worldview and honed his leadership skills and integrity, setting him apart from his contemporaries. He was also an avid reader, passionate about knowledge and intellectual discourse. Historical accounts note his deep interest in learning, often travelling long distances to buy books, newspapers, and academic journals. Aden was remarkably aware of global affairs, which was evident in his profound political debates. 

In 1960, the Somali Republic was founded through the unification of British and Italian Somaliland. Aden Abdulle was elected interim president on 5 July 1960. Following his election, he appointed Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke as prime minister. A year later, Aden Abdulle was elected president for a six-year term. This later opportunity allowed him to fully demonstrate his leadership capabilities and commitment to national development. 

During his presidency (1960–1967), he was remembered for his tangible contributions to democratic principles, the rule of law, inclusive politics, transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and a complete rejection of tribalism, favouritism, and nepotism. His leadership was marked by a strong dedication to national progress. President Aden actively ensured that he did not interfere with government administration or manipulate it to prolong his rule. He bravely opposed vote-buying, electoral fraud, and bribery. 

A prime example of this was the 1964 parliamentary election. Trunji writes: 

“In the 1964 parliamentary elections, President Aden Abdulle Osman wanted the election to be ‘free’ and ‘fair.’ The problem with elections in Somalia was that one party had ruled the country since independence. The President's desire for a free and fair election created serious concern among SYL party members, who feared that a free election would harm the ruling party and that they themselves would not be re-elected to their seats. Opposition parties and the general public did not have genuine faith that the government could hold a free and fair election.”  

At that time, many African leaders were seizing power, and coups were prevalent across the continent. President Aden’s leadership reflected his desire for democracy to flourish without government interference. In a diary entry from February 1963, Osman wrote: “We in Somalia cannot boast of having done much in terms of ameliorating the quality of life of the people, but at least the people do not have a master, and those in power have been democratically elected by the same people even if it has been demonstrated that it is not efficient, but this is only because of inexpe- rience and because of the lack of means.” His stubborn stance on this issue faced strong opposition from within his own party, where many political elites sought to exploit state power for personal gain.  

President Aden stood apart; he believed state resources should serve the people, not individual interests. 

During his presidency, he faced numerous challenges, including pressure to reappoint Abdullahi Isse – who retained the confidence of much of the SYL – or to reappoint Abdirashid Ali Sherkmarke, due to lobbying from certain politicians. He rejected both proposals, believing the country needed renewal and that others should be given the chance to lead. In 1964, President Osman appointed Abdirizak Haji Hussein as prime minister (1964–1967), who would significantly contribute to good governance and democracy. Abdirizak is particularly remembered for his motto: “competence and integrity”, a transformative slogan that influenced government administration, hiring, and merit-based advancement. President Osman nicknamed Prime Minister Abdirizak Daahiriye, a name reflecting his efforts to combat corruption, tribalism, and incompetence. 

Mohamed C. Trunji notes that President Osman was a man of integrity – honest, empathetic to public hardship, and firmly committed to public service. This made him popular with the public. His opposition to the parliament’s decision to increase their salaries by 100%, despite severe humanitarian conditions in Mogadishu, is a case in point. 

Somalia operated under a parliamentary system, with most power vested in the prime minister. The president represented national unity and upheld the constitution. President Osman respected the powers granted to him by the constitution, refraining from interference in government institutions. He exercised his powers honourably, even making decisions unpopular with the ruling SYL. 

Mohamed C. Trunji notes that President Osman was a man of integrity – honest, empathetic to public hardship, and firmly committed to public service. This made him popular with the public. His opposition to the parliament’s decision to increase their salaries by 100%, despite severe humanitarian conditions in Mogadishu, is a case in point. He criticised the decision, stating it was irrational to raise salaries while the country was in crisis. Trunji also emphasises President Osman’s aversion to manipulation and bribery. 

A striking example occurred during the 1967 presidential election, when he was approached by businessmen – including Haji Ahmed Abdullahi Hashiish from Hargeisa/Burao and Haji Naasir Ali, a Yemeni – who offered substantial financial support for his re-election campaign. President Osman told them he did not need money to engage in corruption or vote-buying. 

In the 1967 election, Aden Abdulle was defeated by Abdirashid A. Sharmarke. He peacefully relinquished power and warmly congratulated the new president. He became the first African president to step down peacefully. 

Notably, that election was marred by vote-buying and widespread fraud. These issues hastened the successful military coup that overthrew the republic, rooted in systemic abuse and unchecked exploitation that disillusioned even the military. This mismanagement led to societal collapse – from which Somalia has yet to recover. President Osman was a principled leader who worked towards a meaningful government. His legacy remains an invaluable chapter in Somali history. 

In the 1967 election, Aden Abdulle was defeated by Abdirashid A. Sharmarke. He peacefully relinquished power and warmly congratulated the new president. He became the first African president to step down peacefully. The Somali news website Hiiraan as a result dubbed him as the “Father of African Democracy”. The news agency Reuters went some way towards acknowledging this aspect of his legacy in a clip from his burial in Mogadishu in 2007, adding “and considered by some to be the first African leader democratically elected” to its title. In contrast to many African leaders – who leave office through coups, imprisonment, assassination, or exile – President Abdulle exited with dignity, securing a golden page in African history. 

After the collapse, Abdulle took part in peace-seeking initiatives, working alongside other former officials.  

The new administration, however, became synonymous with abuse of power, theft, and mismanagement. It ultimately led to the president’s assassination and a military coup, extinguishing hopes for democracy. The military regime imprisoned almost all former government officials, including Aden Abdulle, Mohamed H. Ibrahim Egal, Abdirizak H. Hussein and Abdullahi Isse. The regime saw them as potential rivals and removed them from politics, marginalising intellectuals and the emerging middle class, as noted by Dr Bettis Hashim in The Fallen State: Dissonance, Dictatorship and Death in Somalia. 

President Abdulle was released from prison in 1973 and returned to ordinary life, residing on his farm in Jannaale. He lived there until the collapse of the state, later joining the Manifesto Group in the 1990s – a coalition of intellectuals who attempted to persuade Siad Barre to step down peacefully. This effort failed, leading to disintegration and civil war. After the collapse, Abdulle took part in peace-seeking initiatives, working alongside other former officials. He continued to live on his farm until his death in Nairobi on 6 August 2007, at the age of 98. He was buried in Mogadishu, leaving behind a legacy of honour and a lasting contribution to the Somali state. 

The principal criticism of President Aden and his contemporaries is their failure to prevent the military’s rise and mismanagement. Many are faulted for their passive stance as the republic unravelled. Nevertheless, Aden Abdulle Osman is widely commended for his honourable departure from office, political etiquette, and enduring values. In his book Somalia: A State in Search of Exceptional Leadership, Abdirahman Badiyow describes Abdulle as embodying rare qualities in Somali politics – integrity, inclusivity, and a principled rejection of tribalism. These are crucial lessons that must be revisited. President Abdulle was a “father of African democracy”, and another Somali of his calibre would indeed be invaluable.