Hassan Gouled Aptidon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hassan Gouled Aptidon
|
|
|---|---|
| حسن جوليد ابتيدون | |
Gouled Aptidon in 1977
|
|
| 1st President of Djibouti | |
| In office 27 June 1977 – 8 May 1999 |
|
| Prime Minister | Barkat Gourad Hamadou |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Ismaïl Omar Guelleh |
| 1st Prime Minister of Djibouti | |
| In office 27 June 1977 – 12 July 1977 |
|
| President | Himself |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Dini Ahmed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 October 1915 Garissa, Lughaya District, British Somaliland (now Somaliland) |
| Died | 21 November 2006 (aged 91) Djibouti City, Djibouti |
| Political party | People's Rally for Progress |
| Spouse | Aicha Bogoreh (died in 2001) |
Hassan Gouled Aptidon (Somali: Xasan Guuleed Abtidoon; Arabic: حسن جوليد أبتيدون) was a very important leader in the country of Djibouti. He was born on October 15, 1915, and passed away on November 21, 2006. He became the very first President of Djibouti when the country gained its independence. He served as president for many years, from 1977 until 1999.
Contents
Hassan Gouled Aptidon's Early Life and Career
Hassan Gouled Aptidon was born in a small village called Gerisa. This village is located in what was then known as British Somaliland. He came from the Mamassan subclan, which was a powerful family within the larger Issa clan.
He played a key role in helping Djibouti become independent from France. His career started in the 1930s when he worked as a nurse. Later, he became an entrepreneur, which means he started and ran his own businesses.
Getting Involved in Politics
In 1946, Hassan Gouled helped create a group called the Somali and Dankali Youth Club. He was elected to the colony's Representative Council in 1951. He also served as a French senator from 1952 to 1957.
He worked to gain more self-rule for his homeland. He was the Vice-President of the Government Council from 1958 to 1959. He also served in the French National Assembly. In the 1960s, he led a group called the Democratic Union Issa. From 1963 to 1967, he was the education minister. He even served briefly as the first Prime Minister of Djibouti in 1977, just before becoming president.
Djibouti's Path to Independence
In 1974, Hassan Gouled pushed for a vote on independence. He became the leader of the African People's League for Independence (LPAI). This group was formed in 1975 to unite different independence movements.
On May 18, 1977, he became the President of the Governing Council. Then, on May 28, he was elected as the first President of the new Republic of Djibouti. He held this important position until 1999. After some challenges, he made his party, the People's Rally for Progress (RPP), the only legal political party in the country for a time.
Hassan Gouled Aptidon's Time as President
As president, Hassan Gouled Aptidon made his party, the People's Rally for Progress (RPP), the only legal party in 1981. This meant Djibouti became a one party state. He was re-elected as president without anyone running against him in 1981.
Changes in Government
Later, in 1991, the Djiboutian Civil War began. Because of this, President Gouled allowed a vote in 1992 to bring back multiparty politics. This meant that more than one political party could exist. In the elections that followed, his party, the RPP, won all the seats in the National Assembly. He was re-elected for his fourth term as president in 1993.
During the 1990s, Djibouti's economy faced some difficulties. As President Gouled got older, his nephew, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, started to take on more responsibilities. He was also seen as the likely person to become the next president.
Retirement and Legacy
On February 4, 1999, President Gouled Aptidon announced that he would retire. His party then chose his nephew, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, to run for president. Guelleh won the election and became president on May 8, 1999.
Hassan Gouled Aptidon passed away at his home on November 21, 2006, at the age of 90. His first wife, Aicha Bogoreh, was a strong supporter of women's rights and charity work. She passed away in 2001.
Honours
Foreign honours
Malaysia:
Honorary Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (1998)
_-_DMN.svg){kind=small}
See also
In Spanish: Hassan Gouled Aptidon para niños
