First and only vice president of Somalia dies at 85 in the US

The former deputy president of Somalia (1987-1990), Mohamed Ali Samatar, has died at the age of 85 in Virginia, US, where he had been suffering from poor health, Somali government and family member confirmed Saturday.

His daughter, the current minister for Gender and Human Rights Development, Sahro Ali Samatar confirmed the death of the octogenarian who also served as an army general during the Siad Barre regime which collapsed in 1991.

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who also confirmed the death has extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends and people of Somalia over his death.

Samatar was a General in the Somali Armed Forces and served as Defence Minister (1973-1985) and as Prime Minster of Somalia from 1987-1990. The retired Military general was a key figure in Somali politics throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

He was now facing  trial in the US for crimes against humanity in northern Somalia while serving as an army general and Prime Minister in the military regime of Siad Barre.