Former Somali President Ali Mahdi Mohamed Dies in Nairobi After Contracting COVID-19

Former Somali President Ali Mahdi Mohamed has reportedly succumbed to COVID-19 complications in Nairobi.

Mahdi died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the Kenyan capital, where he was admitted after contracting the virus, sources told VOA.
 
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the 7th president of Somalia, is among those who have sent their condolences following the passing of Mahdi.

“I share the grief of the Somali people as a whole and offer my condolences on the death of former President Ali Mahdi Mohamed in Nairobi. May God have mercy on us and give us all patience and faith,” Sharif tweeted.

Mahdi, 82, served as 4th President of Somalia from 1991 to 2000 and was succeeded by Abdiqasim Salad, who was elected in Djibouti.

He rose to power after a coalition of armed opposition groups, including his own United Somali Congress, overthrew longtime President Siad Barre.