As We Celebrate Somaliland’s 22nd Anniversary, let us also remember two other auspicious occasions 
we will also be celebrating this month.
By: Somalilander
Somalilandsun – We speak of the 27th and 31st of May 1988. This year marks the 25th anniversary start of our war of liberation. In paying homage to all those who are no longer with us, the brave men and women who fought and gave their lives, we must offer our prayers and heartfelt thanks.
In keeping with that theme, here is a brief history of the life and career of Abdirahman Ahmed Ali, the first President of Somaliland.
Somaliland: Abdirahman Ahmed Ali was born in 1928. He attended elementary school in Berbera in 1939. His education was interrupted by the Italian invasion in the Second World War, however he was able to continue his elementary school in Hargeisa in 1942. In 1944 he transferred to Sheikh. His trek for further education took him to Khartoum in 1947 to attend Hantoob Secondary, where he finished first in academics, excelled in athletics and when he finished in 1951 he returned to Somaliland.
Abdirahman Ahmed Ali He started as a civil servant, posted first in Las Anod and then was transferred back to Hargeisa in 1952. He was sent to university in England at Devon University, where he earned a diploma in public administration. He returned to Somaliland in 1956, where he was made assistant district commissioner for Hargeisa at the turn of independence in 1960. In 1961 he became regional governor for Burco.
Abdirahman Ahmed Ali was later transferred to Mogadishu to become a director at the Ministry of Interior in the defunct “Somali Republic”. His next posting took him to Sudan as Ambassador. He was then assigned to Ethiopia as ambassador. He was instrumental in assisting the change from a monarchy to a republic in Ethiopia. He was recalled back to Mogadishu and in due time he was made Ambassador to Berlin, East Germany and his final diplomatic posting under the defunct government in Mogadishu was as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. He resigned and moved to London, where he took his place among the SNM leadership.
Abdirahman Ahmed Ali was a bright, loyal and intelligent man who loved his country and people. He married in Kinsi Ibrahim Osman “Basbas” in 1964.
There you have a brief synopsis of the life and career of our First President of Somaliland, may Allah reward him in Jannatul Fardowsa. The late President was a man of integrity, intelligence and loyalty. His dedication to our cause, to us, knew no bounds. His words inspired us at our darkest hour and his leadership and wisdom is one of the reasons why we are here today.
LONG LIVE SOMALILAND
