Somalia: October 10, 2004

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Somalias interim parliament elected Abdullahi Yusuf as interim president of Somalia. Yusuf is a 71 year old former army officer who has, in 1998, successfully formed the breakaway state of Puntland. Yusuf was only supposed to serve one three year term as president of Puntland. But in 2001, Yusuf refused to allow new elections, and in 2002 established himself as dictator of Puntland, with help from Ethiopia. The neighboring breakaway state of Somaliland feels that Puntland wants to conquer them. Yusuf is a tough customer, but not a big fan of democracy.