Brussels – A city known for its rich history and political significance, played host to the closing chapter of a remarkable life. Somalia, a country woven with stories of tumult, resilience, and transformation, bids farewell to one of its most influential figures. General Ahmed Suleyman Abdalla Dafle, the first director of Somalia’s National Security Service (NSS) and a pivotal character in Siad Barre’s military regime, has passed away in Brussels, Belgium. The esteemed general was 87 years old when he departed this world on Thursday, as confirmed by his family.
Born in 1937 in Burco, a town nestled within the rugged terrains of the Togdheer region in the northern quadrant of Somalia, Dafle emerged as a key architect in the nation’s security and political arenas during the leadership of Barre. A historical anchor at a time when the tides of ambition and power rippled through the nation. When reflecting on history, one might ponder: How do figures like Dafle shape the contours of a nation’s journey?
From 1971, Dafle commandeered the helm of Somalia’s National Security Service. Under his direction, the NSS burgeoned into a formidable intelligence entity, not just in Somalia but across Africa. His tenure with the NSS was marked by tireless dedication, methodical intelligence operations, and an unrivaled command of state security mechanisms, characteristics that cemented his legacy as a hell-bent pursuer of national sovereignty. But Dafle was more than just the NSS director; he later assumed the role of Minister of Interior and held a coveted seat on the Supreme Revolutionary Council, the governing military junta of Somalia from 1969 until its eventual disintegration in 1991. Did knowing he was also Siad Barre’s son-in-law offer him more leverage in these roles, or was it the weight of his abilities alone?
The power that Dafle wielded throughout the 1970s and 1980s was considerable. His reach extended far beyond the borders of Somalia. Many viewed him as an instrumental figure with far-reaching influence abroad, a testament to his strategic prowess. “The most influential Somali politician on the African continent,” remarked Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir, a former director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in a tribute that befits a delve into the annals of history.
Yasin, who clearly cherishes Dafle’s contributions, highlighted the general’s strategic role in supporting African liberation movements. “He was the architect of Somali intelligence,” Yasin affirmed. In the chronicles of the 1977 Ogaden War, the initial triumphs can be traced back to the infiltration and acquisition of Ethiopian military secrets, attributed primarily to the NSS under Dafle’s guidance. It’s fascinating to see how the genius of one individual can pivot the course of military history. Does the agency still feel his legacy reverberate through its halls today? One might wonder, as a personal homage, Yasin named the Grand Mosque within NISA’s headquarters after General Dafle—a dramatic symbol of reverence for his monumental contributions.
This solemn news of Dafle’s passing arises at a moment when Somalia is grappling with the exigencies of reestablishing and refining its national security apparatus. The country is embattled in a robust campaign against the formidable menace of Al-Shabaab, and Dafle’s methodologies and strategic insights remain immensely relevant. Although funeral arrangements are still forthcoming, the reflection on General Dafle’s life urges us to consider the role legacy plays in a nation’s ongoing narrative.
As Somalia stands at the cusp of reconstruction, the lessons and legacies left by figures such as General Ahmed Suleyman Abdalla Dafle form a guiding compass for future generations. In the continuum of time, where do past achievements lead, and how do they shape the paths ahead?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
