Hawiye clan elder and spokesman Ahmed Diriye passes on

The elder and spokesman of the Hawiye clan Ahmed Diriye passed on in Mogadishu Monday night following ill-health, the family has said.

The outspoken elder aged 75 was known for among others leading the opposition of Ethiopian bombardment of Mogadishu in 2006 and negotiating for peace with rival groups.

Diriye was born in Adado in 1944. In an interview with Goobjoog News last year, Diriye said he held the leadership of the Saleban sub-clan for 42 years and was appointed spokesman of the larger Hawiye clan in 2007.