Osman Awad Ali was taken from Puntland to Mogadishu for treatment and he died in hospital in Mogadishu while he was preparing for a operation on his kidneys.
Puntland’s Minister for Sea Transport, Ports and Counter-Piracy Eng. Said Mohamed Raage, who knew Mr Osman Awad well, confirmed the reports. “Osman Awad Ali died in hospital in Mogadishu on Wednesday night. He went to Mogadishu for treatment. We are very saddened by his death,” Minister Said Mohamed Raage told Somalia Report. “I felt sorrow when I heard of his death, he was a gentleman. I remember that he was also peaceful,” Minister Raage added.
Puntland President Abdurahman Faroole and Vice-President Abdisalam Ali Shire expressed their condolences to the Puntland populations.
Mr Osman Awad Ali worked for the former Somali federal government, led by Mohamed Siyaad Bare. He was well-known in Puntland as one of the senior politicians who played an important role during the establishment of Puntland as a ministate. He also served in other administrations in Puntland before working as Deputy Minister for Labor and Sports.