He died from pneumonia related complications.

His brother, Abdigafar Haji Hussein, confirmed the death. "He died at the University Hospital," said Mr Abdigafar.

Mr Hussein succeeded the first post-independence premier Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. Both served under the first Somali President, Aden Abdulle Osman alias Aden Adde, who ruled Somalia from 1960 to 1967.

He is remembered as one of the efficient government leaders Somalia has had. Together with Aden Abdulle, Hussein democratically surrendered power when his boss lost a presidential contest in July 1967.

Former Somalia PM delivers his speech at the UN

When Mr Sharmarke became President in July 1967, Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Egal became the new premier.

Two years later, Mr Sharmarke was assassinated and the government of prime minister Egal overthrown in a military coup led by General Mohamed Siad Barre.

In 1968, Mr Hussein created a political party, the African Development Party (DAP), and by the time the junta abolished the civilian parliament, he was the only member of the National Assembly in Mogadishu who was in the opposition.

The rest of the 123 MPs belonged to the ruling Somali Youth League (SYL) party.

He is also remembered as a long term activist of SYL in the struggle for independence.

He had also served as the representative of the pre-independence Somali Interim Government (1956-1960) at the United Nations in New York.

When Somalia gained independence in 1960, Mr Hussein contested for a parliamentary seat and became an MP.