A defeated founder-president offered his successor full support despite past betrayal

Evidence

The following day, he took part in the July 1 celebration with the new president, who told the crowd that Osman was an exemplary founding father of the country. Osman left the presidency feeling relieved and confident for the country’s future, but doubting the new men in power would put the nation’s interest before their own political fortunes. In characteristic fashion, he offered Sharmarkee his complete support despite Sharmarkee not having been honorable in defeat when Osman fired him as prime minister in 1964. Osman also urged those who voted for him to be loyal to the country and to support the new government when it had the right ideas and remained true to the constitution. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 967