Hirraan Online
Monday March 7, 2016
NAIROBI (HOL) – One of Somalia’s most respected politicians as well asa former prominent journalist with a career spanning over three decades has died in Nairobi at the age of 80, his family announced on Sunday.
Mohamed Abshir Yusuf Walde died late on Saturday after months of an undisclosed illness that left him bed-ridden at a hospital in Nairobi.
Tributes have been paid to Mr. Walde by Somalis from all walks of life and leaders, with president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is among those paying tribute said that he will be remembered for his commitment to his nation who will be missed dearly by all Somalis and the nation as a whole.
Having graduated from Columbia University with the M.A degree, the former BBC Somali Service broadcast journalist had later worked as the director of the state-run Radio Mogadishu in 1960s, helping the national radio to grow its audience and reach throughout the country.
During his lifetime, the former journalist as well as a businessman had also authored books about piracy, politics and patriotism before he became a politician.
In the meantime, hundreds of Somalis took to the social media on Sunday, calling Mr. Walde’s death as a ‘painful loss’ and said they’d have very fond memories of him.