Daud Abdulle Hirsi

Hirsi was born in Somalia to an Abgaal Hawiye family in 1919 in the town of Mareeg situated in central Somalia. He later joined the military, and eventually rose to the rank of Commander-in-Chief of the nascent Somali National Army (Ciidamadda Xoogga Dalka Soomaaliyeed), the first position of its kind. Following Somalia's independence in 1960, Hirsi became Minister of Defence in the country's new civilian administration.

Hirsi died shortly thereafter in 1965 in Moscow, Russia. Several primary and secondary schools in addition to a main street in Mogadishu, the nation's capital, are named after him. The Cup of General Daud, an annual football competition in Somalia, is also titled in his honor. Hirsi was well known for his family who were indeed very close to him. Hirsi helped develop Somalia into a stable country and that also led to praise by then president Aden Abdullah Osman.

General Daud was born in town of Mareeg in Ceel-dheer district in 1924. He was born to a religious and loving family. He grew up in the country among the pastoralists. In his youth he was known to be athletic and participate in long distance running. He began his education in the local madras learning the quran, where he excelled and become a kabiir (senior). As a young man he moved to Buloburde and was employed in the local colonial office. As a young soldier he participated in the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. On his return in 1954 he was promoted to lieutenant in the police force, contributing greatly to the development of the Somali military. Upon development of the Somali Armed Forces, he was promoted to first General and Commander-in-Chief of all military service branches. He is known as the father of the modern Somali military and worked tirelessly to further the cause of the forces. General Daud died in 1965 Moscow, Russia during military training. He was mourned by entire Somali nation and particularly the military that he created. Siad Barre the President of Somalia at the time, upon hearing the loss of General daud, said “The Somali Military, today lost its father”. His colleagues referred to him as staunch nationalist, a hero of the Somali nation, who never faltered in his duty and cause. He retains the respect of all Somali military personnel.

• Military of Somalia

• Bildhaan: an international journal of Somali studies, Volume 6. Macalester College, International Studies and Programming. 2006.