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Somali Salvation Democratic Front

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Somali Salvation Democratic Front
Jabhadda Badbaadinta Dimuqraadiyada Soomaaliya
LeadersMohamed Abshir Muse (1991–1998)
Muuse Islan Farah (1987–1988),
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (1978–1986, 1991–1998)
Mohamed Abshir Waldo (1984–1986)
Hassan Ali Mire (1986–1988)
Dates of operation1978–2001
Group(s)Majeerteen (1978–2001)[1]
Active regionsSomali Democratic Republic
IdeologyAnti-Barre
Somali nationalism
Socialism
Majeerteen interests
AlliesSomalia United Somali Congress (USC)
Somalia United Somali Party
Somalia Somali National Democratic Union
South Yemen South Yemen
Ethiopia
Libyan Jamahiriya
OpponentsSomalia Somali Democratic Republic
WSLF[2]
Preceded by
Somali Salvation Front, Somali Workers Party, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Somalia
Succeeded by
Puntland

Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) (Somali: Jabhadda Diimuqraadiga Badbaadinta Soomaaliyeed), initially known as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia, was a political and paramilitary umbrella organization in Somalia. Founded in 1978 by several army officers, it was the first of several opposition groups dedicated to ousting the authoritarian regime of Mohamed Siad Barre.[3] With its power base mainly within the Majeerteen clan,[3][4][5] SSDF played a significant role in the country's complex political landscape during the late 1970s and 2000s, and succeeded with establishing the autonomous Puntland state in northeastern Somalia.[6]

Early history

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On October 15, 1969, while paying a visit to the northern town of Las Anod, Somalia's then President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was shot dead by a policeman in his security team. His assassination was quickly followed by a military coup d'état on October 21, 1969 (the day after his funeral), in which the Somali Army and police force 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.[7] For refusing to support Barre's seizure of power, numerous political figures were imprisoned. Among these was Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Somalia's former military attaché to Moscow,[8] who was imprisoned for several years by the new military regime.[8]

The defeat of the Somali military at the hands of Cuban/Ethiopian forces during the Ogaden War of 1977–78 brought to the surface opposition elements within the armed forces.[9] Another significant consequence of the war was the massive influx of refugees from the Ogaden into Somalia, estimated at over a million.[10]

Post-April 1978 coup and SSDF formation

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The first serious postwar challenge to the regime came during an attempted coup in April 1978. The officers were primarily from the Majeerteen clan, and many of the coup plotters fled to Ethiopia after the Somali government had put down the insurrection.[11] During the Ogaden War, Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf had served as a commander in the Somali National Army. After the war he deserted the army,[12] and helped lead the failed 1978 coup attempt following which he had immediately fled to Ethiopia.[13] In response to the coup, harsh reprisals were carried out by the government on the Majeerteen clan.[14]

In Ethiopia, Abdullahi Yusuf setup base for a new rebel organization called the Somali Salvation Democratic Front which he led and soon after began fighting with Ethiopian forces against the Somali army.[15] The SSDF possessed little autonomy over Ethiopian security forces,[16] as it was 'created, organized, trained and financed by Ethiopia'.[17] With the formation of the SSDF in Ethiopia, the era of armed opposition against the Barre regime had begun.[14] The SSDF was formally created in Aden, South Yemen in October 1981 through the merger of three groups, Somali Salvation Front, Somali Workers Party and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Somalia. An 11-member Central Committee was constituted. Some former members of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party were part of the leadership of the new group. A military structure was built up, supported by Ethiopia and Libya.[18]

Proxy operations and 1982-83 invasion

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The Ethiopian government began using the Somali Salvation Democratic Front as a proxy to help hunt down Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) fighters.[19][20] In August 1980, the Derg regime launched a massive anti-insurgency campaign known as "Operation Lash" to clear the Ogaden of insurgents. [21] During these operations the Ethiopians used the SSDF rebels to attack WSLF camps within Somalia.[2] With Ethiopian assistance,[14] the SSDF began to launch guerilla attacks across the border on Somali army bases and civilian targets.[22]

The Ethiopian army intended to us the Somali Salvation Democratic Front to overthrow Barre and install a friendly regime.[23] The guerrillas were trained by Ethiopian officers and during the 1982 invasion of Somalia, SSDF forces were directly integrated into much larger Ethiopian army units.[24] In late June 1982, 15,000 Ethiopian army troops and thousands of SSDF rebels invaded Somalia in the Hiran and Mudug region. The offensives initially aimed for Galkayo in the north-east, and Beledweyne in central Somalia. According to Gérard Prunier, "The plan was to cut Somalia into two by driving the troops all the way to the ocean, but the plan backfired."[25] In spite of losses taken four years earlier during 1978 from the Ethiopian-Cuban counter offensive during the Ogaden War, the Somali army had regrouped and the invasion led to a large increase in volunteers joining the army. The Ethiopian/SSDF attack had played out to Barres advantage,[26] as his declining regime found a significant upsurge in support.[27] The Ethiopian and SSDF forces never reached their objectives of Galkayo and Beledweyne, but were instead halted to a stalemate at border towns of Balanbale and Galdogob.[27]

Decline and resurgence

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During 1982, the Barre regime successfully split the SSDF and most its members surrendered to the government following an amnesty and payment offer.[28] By 1983 the bulk of the SSDF had rejoined the regime.[29] Irritated by this development, the Ethiopian government put the head of the SSDF Abdullahi Yusuf in jail, where he remained until the Fall of the Derg regime in 1991.[30] During SSDF internal fighting during 1983 and 1984, Ethiopian security forces entered their camps and arrested the rebels central committee members.[31] After the rebels had no longer become useful to Mengistu, he had members of the organization killed, imprisoned or dispersed.[32] The SSDF would not recover as an organization until relations with Ethiopia normalized during the tenure of Meles Zenawi.[33]

By 1985 SSDF had ceased most of their military operations against the Siad Barre regime.[citation needed] In 1986 an SSDF congress was held, which elected Dr. Hassan Ali Mire as chairman. He resigned in 1988, leaving a power vacuum in the organization. Musse Islan was elected leader by the SSDF Central Committee to hold the position until a Congress was convened.[citation needed]

In 1988 the governments of Somalia and Ethiopia made some agreements to cease hostilities. The Ethiopian government started closing SSDF camps, arresting its leaders and seizing weapons. The Ethiopian government also closed the SSDF radio station, Radio Halgan, which had been broadcasting since 1981.[citation needed]

In 1988 SSDF guerrillas started taking control over the western districts of Mudug and the southern areas of Nugaal and Bari regions.[citation needed]

Post-1991

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After the fall of the Barre regime, the SSDF (based largely in northeastern Somalia) was divided in two factions. One was led by General Mohamed Abshir Muse (chairman), who at the time was based in Saudi Arabia, and the other was led by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (deputy chairman). The general secretary was Mohamed Abshir Waldo.[citation needed]

A congress was held in August 1994. Former Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdirizak Haji Hussein, was offered the chairmanship of the SSDF by a group of clan leaders, but declined.[34]

Over the next several years, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed would emerge as the pre-eminent leader in northeastern Somalia. In 1992, he marshalled forces to successfully expel an Islamist extremist group linked to Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya that had taken over Bosaso, a prominent port city and the commercial capital of the northeastern part of the country.[34]

Notable personnel

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Main page: Category:Somali Salvation Democratic Front politicians

Puntland

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In 1998, a homegrown constitutional conference was held in Garowe over a period of three months. Attended by SSDF representatives, traditional elders (Issims), members of the business community, intellectuals and other civil society members, the autonomous Puntland State of Somalia was subsequently officially established so as to deliver services, offer security, facilitate trade, and interact with both domestic and international partners.[35] Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was appointed as the nascent polity's first President.[36]

After serving two terms as President of Puntland, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was elected in 2004 as President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), an interim federal administrative body that he had helped establish earlier in the year.[37][38]

References

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  1. ^ U.S. Army, Center of Military History (2003). United States forces, Somalia after action report and historical overview : the United States Army in Somalia, 1992–1994. Center of Military History, U.S. Army. p. 67. ISBN 9781462053940.
  2. ^ a b Hughes, Geraint (2012-03-13). My Enemy's Enemy: Proxy Warfare in International Politics. Liverpool University Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-83764-186-4.
  3. ^ a b Nina J. Fitzgerald, Somalia: issues, history, and bibliography, (Nova Publishers: 2002), p.25.
  4. ^ Bongartz, Maria (1991). The Civil War in Somalia: Its Genesis and Dynamics. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.
  5. ^ Craig, Dylan (2019-06-26). Sovereignty, War, and the Global State. Springer. ISBN 978-3-030-19886-2.
  6. ^ Yuusuf, Muuse (2021-05-20). The Genesis of the Civil War in Somalia: The Impact of Foreign Military Intervention on the Conflict. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7556-2711-0.
  7. ^ Moshe Y. Sachs, Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, (Worldmark Press: 1988), p.290
  8. ^ a b New People Media Centre (Nairobi, Kenya), New people, Issues 94–105, (New People Media Centre: Comboni Missionaries, 2005).
  9. ^ Farah, Ibrahim (2020). Somali Foreign Policy, 1960 – 1990: An Analysis of Thirty Years of Diplomatic History. Adonis & Abbey Publishers. pp. 85–88. ISBN 978-1-909112-77-3.
  10. ^ Issa-Salwe 1996, pp. 126–127.
  11. ^ Farah, Ibrahim (2020). Somali Foreign Policy, 1960 – 1990: An Analysis of Thirty Years of Diplomatic History. Adonis & Abbey Publishers. pp. 85–88. ISBN 978-1-909112-77-3.
  12. ^ Gebrewold-Tochalo, Belachew (2009). Anatomy of Violence: Understanding the Systems of Conflict and Violence in Africa. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-7546-7528-0.
  13. ^ Amare Tekle, ed. (1994). Eritrea and Ethiopia : from conflict to cooperation. Trenton, N.J.: Red Sea. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-932415-96-7.
  14. ^ a b c Issa-Salwe 1996, pp. 128–129.
  15. ^ Gebrewold-Tochalo, Belachew (2009). Anatomy of Violence: Understanding the Systems of Conflict and Violence in Africa. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-7546-7528-0. In 1982 SSDF was commanded by Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who was commander of the SNA (Somali National Army) during the Ethiopian-Somali War. After deserting the Somali Army, he began to fight together with Ethiopia against the Somali army.
  16. ^ Clapham, Christopher, ed. (1998). African guerrillas. Indiana University Press. pp. 75–77. ISBN 978-0-85255-816-4.
  17. ^ Northeast African Studies. Vol. 11. African Studies Center, Michigan State University. 1989. p. 92.
  18. ^ Adam, Hussein Mohamed; Ford, Richard (1997). Mending rips in the sky: options for Somali communities in the 21st century. Red Sea Press. p. 547. ISBN 9781569020739.
  19. ^ Tareke, Gebru (2002). "From Lash to Red Star: The Pitfalls of Counter-Insurgency in Ethiopia, 1980–82". The Journal of Modern African Studies. 40 (3): 465–498. doi:10.1017/S0022278X02003981. ISSN 0022-278X. JSTOR 3876045. The SSDF, which drew its support almost exclusively from the Mijerteen, the major clan in the northeast of Somalia, began hitting at strategic installations and military posts, as it aided the Ethiopian army in hunting down the WSLF.
  20. ^ Vries, Lotje de; Englebert, Pierre; Schomerus, Mareike (2018-08-20). Secessionism in African Politics: Aspiration, Grievance, Performance, Disenchantment. Springer. p. 105. ISBN 978-3-319-90206-7.
  21. ^ Tareke, Gebru (2009). The Ethiopian revolution: War in the Horn of Africa. ISBN 9780300156157.
  22. ^ Farah, Ibrahim (2020). Somali Foreign Policy, 1960 – 1990: An Analysis of Thirty Years of Diplomatic History. Adonis & Abbey Publishers. p. 86. ISBN 978-1-909112-77-3. The SSDF soon began to launch guerrilla raids on Somali army bases and civilian targets across the Ethiopian-Somali border.
  23. ^ "Somalia: Taking Stock". Africa Confidential. 23 (17): 8. 25 August 1982. the Ethiopian aim was to provide the DFSS with the wherewithal to overthrow President Siad Barre
  24. ^ Clapham, Christopher, ed. (1998). African guerrillas. Indiana University Press. pp. 75–77. ISBN 978-0-85255-816-4.
  25. ^ Prunier, Gérard (2021). The Country that Does Not Exist: A History of Somaliland. Oxford University Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-78738-203-9.
  26. ^ Laitin, David D.; Samatar, Said S. (1987). Somalia: Nation in Search of a State. Profiles. Avalon Publishing. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-86531-555-6. Yet Siyaad surprised friends and foes alike by turning both events to advantage. His army vigorously repulsed the invaders...
  27. ^ a b Prunier, Gérard (2021). The Country that Does Not Exist: A History of Somaliland. Oxford University Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-78738-203-9.
  28. ^ Dualeh, Hussein Ali (1994). From Barre to Aideed: Somalia : the Agony of a Nation. Stellagraphics Limited. p. 137. ISBN 978-9966-834-40-9.
  29. ^ Ingiriis, Mohamed Haji (2016-04-01). The Suicidal State in Somalia: The Rise and Fall of the Siad Barre Regime, 1969–1991. UPA. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-7618-6720-3.
  30. ^ Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
  31. ^ Clapham, Christopher, ed. (1998). African guerrillas. Indiana University Press. pp. 75–77. ISBN 978-0-85255-816-4.
  32. ^ Clapham, Christopher, ed. (1998). African guerrillas. Indiana University Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-85255-816-4.
  33. ^ Gebrewold-Tochalo, Belachew (2009). Anatomy of Violence: Understanding the Systems of Conflict and Violence in Africa. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-7546-7528-0.
  34. ^ a b Gérard Prunier. "Somalia: Civil War, intervention and withdrawal 1990–1995 (July 1995), p. 6" (PDF). Writenet Country Papers, UK. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2006.
  35. ^ Somalia: Puntland's Experience in Peace-building and State-building
  36. ^ Proceedings of the Conference on African Conflicts: Their Management, Resolution and Post-conflict Reconstruction, Held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 13–15 December 2000. Development Policy Management Forum (DPMF). 2001.
  37. ^ ":: Xinhuanet – English ::". Archived from the original on November 21, 2004. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  38. ^ Njoku, Raphael Chijioke (2013-02-20). The History of Somalia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-37858-4.

Bibliography

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