The Charismatic Diplomat: "Abba Yusuf"

Written on Feb 8th 2014

 With the recent kidnapping of ONLF diplomats in Nairobi, my mind wandered back to the rendition of Tesfahun Chamada, and Mesfin Abebe, the killing of Jatani Ali, and the murder of one of the unsung heroes of the Oromo resistance, Abba Yusuf. Surprisingly I've never seen anything written about Abba Yusuf, the veteran OLF diplomat killed in Nairobi, Kenya in 1999. So I would like to share what I have heard about him.

Abba Yusuf, born Muhammad Amin, hails from the Jarso county of eastern Hararge. Like many young men following the Ethio-Somali war he sought refuge in Somalia. He joined the OLF where his talent was immediately recognized and his discipline and commitment helped him quickly rise through the ranks of the organization. While attending Gamal Abdelnasser School in Mogadishu as a full time student Abba Yusuf was entrusted as the organizations envoy in Mogadishu. He was remembered as charismatic and friendly, but also a skilled diplomat and politician. Throughout the 1980's as Chargé d'affaires he facilitated the organizations dealings with the government of Somalia up until the fall of the regime. It is not known whether he remained in Somalia during the civil war, but his last known assignment was facilitating the Congress in Mogadishu in 1998. Abba Yusuf soon left to Nairobi, Kenya where he paid the ultimate sacrifice. Rabbi rahmata isaatiin haa qananiisu.

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