“A masterpiece on the short-lived democratic period in Somali history supported by Abdi Ismail Samatar's rigorous scholarship and superb analytical skills.”
 — Mohammed Hassen Ali, Georgia State University

“Abdi Ismail Samatar, in this political biography and history of Somalia's early years of independence, makes the point that democracy cannot be consolidated without democrats or leaders who cherish democratic values and principles, and who are determined to govern accordingly.”
 — Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“Going beyond postcolonial analysis, decolonization encourages re-thinking the world from Africa, from Latin America, from indigenous places, and from marginalized academia. Samatar’s book does precisely this, rethinking our concepts of statehood, democracy and leadership from Africa, and from Somalia particularly.”
 — Sarah Radcliffe, Cambridge University, Political Geography

“This study is important because it draws attention to the gamut of stereotypes and wisdoms espoused by critics of African leaders. . . . We all must salute Samatar for his courage to exonerate a couple of African leaders from the court of academic vilification.”
 — American Historical Review

“Abdi Samatar’s book Africa’s First Democrats is of significance to geographical studies of Africa for three main reasons: (i) its decolonial approach; (ii) its dissection of democratic political leadership and political parties; (iii) its documentation of a historical period in Somalia, when political leaders advocated a vision of　 a united Somalia that transcended contemporary representation of the country as a ‘failed state’ wracked by atavistic tribalism.”
 — Patricia Daley, Oxford University, Political Geography

“Africa’s First Democrats challenges several stereotypes about the workings and growth of democracy on the African continent. …More than that, Africa’s First Democrats opens up space for a broader rereading of African history and holds the possibility for a more extensive anti-racist and anti-colonial project that has long animated pan-African politics across the globe.”
 — Joshua Inwood, Pennsylvania State University, Politcal Geography

“Excellent.13 2014”
 — African and Asian Studies