By M.A. Egge
The President H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi has led the Somali speaking world in mourning the passing on of the celebrated political giant who is today arguably the last greatest renown leader.
A two-day state national mourning was similarly declared by the President on Saturday.
Through a Presidential Decree issued on Saturday specified that two days of national mourning will be observed on the 17th and 18th following the death of the 4th president of Somaliland.
Both days would be public holidays.
The Head of State announced the death of the late Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo on Friday night at the residence of the departed leader where he likewise stated that a national funeral committee will be formed for the national state burial to be held on Monday 18th November.
He sent his personal condolences, and also on behalf of the government and the nation of Somaliland, to the next of kin, family members, relatives and friends of the late head of state. He prayed for the soul of the departed leader to rest in eternal peace.
Messages of condolences that has reached the family has come from different nations, eminent personalities and admirers from across the world.
The president of the Somali state of Ethiopia was amongst the first foreign nations to send the condolences. So too have the president of Somalia and Djibouti finance minister sent their condolences.
Notably Kenyan parliamentarians of Somali descent led by Yusuf Hassan and Somalia regional administrations leaders have sent their messages of condolences, including Puntland leader Saeed Abdullahi Deni.
As condolences continue pouring in, the nation of Somaliland has just been struck by the untimely sudden at a time that they have been tensely waiting for the announcement of the Presidential and political party elections whose tallying of votes is underway and are being collated at the NEC centre.
A serene calmness and tranquillity has gripped the nation as all and sundry unite in solidarity to mourn the great leader who has just passed on.