Awale hailed from the Reer Maxamuud, Majerteen clan, who are predominantly based in Mudug region.
His nephew is Abukar Awale 'Qaad-diid', a prominent Somali who passionately campaigns against Qaad and highlights its ill effects both within Somalia and with diaspora.
Three other countries, Egypt, Philippines, and Colombia, were part of a United Nations commission sent to advise the trusteeship in Somalia.
Each point of the star represented the five Somali regions (Greater Somalia) that had been divided by colonial powers.
Liban explained that the blue stood for the United Nations, which had helped Somalia on its path to independence.