Is Abdullahi Yusuf fit to be the President of Somalia?
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:59 pm
Abdullahi Yusuf was born in a small nomadic settlement at Hareeri Lalamood, on the plains and grasslands east of Jarriban in North Mudug, in the late 1920s or early 1930s. His family was nomadic, raising sheep and herding goats on the coastal areas between Jarriban and the Indian Ocean, south of Ayl district. Due to certain drought, he had to move to Galkayo, where he had a chance to learn, and got an opportunity for basic education.
He joined the army in 1960 and became an officer, and in 1979 he led part of the army to overthrow Siyad Barre but he failed and then fled to Ethiopia. He formed SODAF and operated from inside Ethiopia carried out raids from Ethiopian bases crossing the border to Central Somalia. He was imprisoned and tortured in Ethiopian cells under solitary confinement for long durations. This has caused the beginning of his health problems.
Despite of health conditions, he became the President of Somalia at an age between 75 - 78. Apat from old age, he suffers from Alzheimers (dementia), Parkinson's disease (that shakes his hands involuntarily), liver problem and in the last two years, he developed mobility problems. People close to him have reported that he has the following problems:
* Have problems remembering
* Sometimes find it hard to find the right words
* Can't understand what people are saying, and he just wants to do what he wants
* Have problems recognising people
* Find it more difficult to complete tasks and solve problems
* Find it harder to concentrate
Based on the above, it is very hard for the President to continue being the President of Somalia. It is time that he should retire now and focus on his well-being rather than taking the responisiblity of a job that needs a very healthy and fit person. If he does not do this soon, then it should be through a motion in the TFG parliament, citing health-issue as the grounds for his removal.
Ina iikay, Markacadey.net
He joined the army in 1960 and became an officer, and in 1979 he led part of the army to overthrow Siyad Barre but he failed and then fled to Ethiopia. He formed SODAF and operated from inside Ethiopia carried out raids from Ethiopian bases crossing the border to Central Somalia. He was imprisoned and tortured in Ethiopian cells under solitary confinement for long durations. This has caused the beginning of his health problems.
Despite of health conditions, he became the President of Somalia at an age between 75 - 78. Apat from old age, he suffers from Alzheimers (dementia), Parkinson's disease (that shakes his hands involuntarily), liver problem and in the last two years, he developed mobility problems. People close to him have reported that he has the following problems:
* Have problems remembering
* Sometimes find it hard to find the right words
* Can't understand what people are saying, and he just wants to do what he wants
* Have problems recognising people
* Find it more difficult to complete tasks and solve problems
* Find it harder to concentrate
Based on the above, it is very hard for the President to continue being the President of Somalia. It is time that he should retire now and focus on his well-being rather than taking the responisiblity of a job that needs a very healthy and fit person. If he does not do this soon, then it should be through a motion in the TFG parliament, citing health-issue as the grounds for his removal.
Ina iikay, Markacadey.net
