transporting him back from the airport, but failed to kill him. On 15 October 1969, while paying an official visit to the northern town of Las Anod, Sharmarke was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards. On duty outside the guest-house where the president was staying, the officer fired an automatic rifle at close range, instantly killing Sharmarke. Observers suggested that the assassination was inspired by personal rather than political motives. Sharmarke's assassination was quickly followed by a military coup d'état on 21 October 1969 (the day after his funeral), in which the Somali Army seized power without encountering armed opposition; essentially a bloodless takeover. The putsch was spearheaded by Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, who at the time commanded the army. See also Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke Aden Abdullah Osman Daar Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf Somali Youth League Notes References Mohamed Haji Ingiriis (2017) Who Assassinated the Somali President in October 1969? The Cold War, the Clan Connection, or the Coup d’État, African Security, 10:2, 131-154, DOI: 10.1080/19392206.2017.1305861 1919 births 1969 deaths 1969 murders in Africa 20th-century prime ministers of Somalia Assassinated heads of state Assassinated Somalian politicians Leaders ousted by a coup Presidents of Somalia People murdered in Somalia Deaths by firearm in Somalia Sapienza University of Rome alumni Somali Youth League politicians People from Mudug Somali independence activists