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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Notes on the State of the Somali State
Author:Galaydh, Ali K.
Year:1990
Periodical:Horn of Africa
Volume:13
Issue:1-2
Period:January-June
Pages:1-28
Language:English
Geographic term:Somalia
Subjects:political conditions
politicians
1960-1969
1970-1979
1980-1989
Politics and Government
About person:Mohamed Siad Barre
Abstract:In 1960 Somalia attained its 'statehood' when ex-Italian Somaliland and ex-British Somaliland were united. A short description of State-society relations in precolonial, colonial and postcolonial Somalia explains why Somalia, during the first decade of independence, was a case of a weak State and a strong society. The assassination of the then President on October 15, 1969, and the inability of the Parliament to reach an early agreement on a successor, provided General Mohamed Siyaad Barre and his cohorts with an opportune moment to seize power in a bloodless coup. This paper analyses the character and role of the Siyaad Barre regime, dividing this period into four phases: from the coup to party formation (1969-1976); the war with Ethiopia (1977-1978); from the elections for the newly instituted parliament to Siyaad Barre's car accident (1979-1986); and the drift to downfall (from 1987 to the present). The conclusion is that the implementation of social and economic programmes in the first phase of the regime was frankly impressive. Slowly, however, the collective leadership of the first years gave way to personal rule by Siyaad Barre, a process hastened by the war with Ethiopia. Siyaad Barre has to use all the levers that are at the disposal of the increasingly predatory regime to perpetuate his personal rule which, at the moment, is limited to the metropolitan area of the capital. Notes, ref.
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