Aden Abdulle Osman Daar , popularly known as Aden Adde, was a Somalipolitician who served as the first president of Somalia from July 1, 1960 to July 6, 1967. A leader of the Mudug Regional Council, he was the first President of the Somali Republic present-day known as Somalia. He previously served in the Somali Youth League In 1944. In 1946, he was named Secretary of the party's section in Beledweyne, Somalia. In 1951, the Mudug Regional Council appointed him for the Regional Council, and two years later, he became Vice President of the Regional Council. In 1944, he joined the Somali Youth League. From 1954 until 1956, he was the President of the Somali Youth League. He was re-elected in May of 1958, and he continued to hold this position simultaneously along with that of President of the Legislative Assembly until 1960. Osman Daar was born in Beledweyne, Somalia. He studied at government schools, and worked as a community organizer. Somalia was colonized by the Italian government from 1889 to 1941. From 1929 to 1941, Osman Daar served in the Italian Colonial Administration advocating for Somalia's independence from colonization. He was a proponent for the oneness and unity of all Somalis. In 1960, Osman Daar garnered national attention, and won the favor of the Somali people. He was formally and democratically elected as the first president of Somalia in July 1, 1960. On July 1, 1960, the United Nations approved Somalia's independence, and subsequently united with the former "British protectorate" of northern Somalia, which had already victoriously obtained its independence on June 26, 1960. His administration was focused on dismantling the legacy of colonialism and fostering unity among the Somali people.
Early Life and Career
Daar was born on December 9, 1908, in the town of Beledweyne, situated in the south-central Hiraan region of Somalia. He hails from the Udejeen clan of Hawiye. He was an orphan, who lost his parents at a young age. Osman Daar, was an avid reader, and self taught on many subjects. He spoke Arabic, Somali, Italian and English.
Political career
Somali Youth League
Daar joined the incipient Somali Youth League political party in 1944, a nationalist organization that campaigned for an independent Somalia. Quickly rising through the ranks, he 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, his former Prime Minister. His term as president ended on July 6, 1967. Daar accepted the loss graciously, making history as the first head of state 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 GeneralMuhammad Siad Barre, who at the time commanded the army.
