Former President Mohamed Siad Barre, The Most Wrongfully Vilified Person

[AYOUB]

Originally posted by xiinfaniin:

I dont mind commenting Barre threads. But I need more of Kismayo threads, Horn! hurry up and get me some before Ramadan dawns on us...

 

People with savings in Switzerland can surely afford better scribbler of the late General's legacy than that sorry attempt. Says a lot about the standard of education under the October Revolution, does it not?

 

HornAfrique

Can you please comment on the sections you chose to highlight . Thank you in advanced.

[Cumar]

If Maxamed Siyaad wanted to unleash chaos and mayhem on the Somali population and the nation he built, he wouldn't have provided the proposal for a ceasfire and a resignation when the USC rebels approached the city with nothing but onslaught as their intention.

 

If Maxamed Siyaad wanted to destroy the Somali population, he wouldn't have devised plans and achieved goals that uplifted the neocolonalist tribal 60's to a Modern unified State of Somalia where minorities had rights, to putting Somalia on the map.

 

If his main aim was to bring slaughter, he would have defended the capital city by all means necessary instead of leaving the city for the sake of the Somali residents who resided there.

 

You have here the pro-Yuusuf supporters attempting to paint a positive light on the first clan-based group SSDF who were responsible for the first Ethiopian invasion in Somalia and the deaths of hundreds to thousands Somali citizens.

 

Here is a news report published on the 31th of December, 1991 by Reader's Digest News where they clearly state that he asked for numerous ceasefires so that the people wouldn't suffer.

 

 

Would you think someone "who was bloodthirsty and vengeful" would request ceasefires and options to resign?

 

If these power-hungry rebels had the people at heart, they would have accepted his proposals instead of unleashing a full-fledged holocaust on the Somali population.

[Gabbal]

^^I guess that takes away the prop estrous Siad was not willing to deal that has made its way into the Siad/Menguiste comparison.

 

Originally posted by Mansa Munsa:

Barre was a bitter and sweet on the same spot, first ten years of his tenure he bridged the intellect gap among Somalis and in the same token built lots of infrastructure be roads, schools, hospitals, agriculture and introduced the written format of the Somali language without this, Somali literacy rate would be much lower than it's today.

 

However, after 77 war he messed it up a big time and the rest is just a history.

I have spoken with many of his former advisers and the explanation is extremely logical, even somewhat of a revelation.

 

It all has to do with the SSDF coup attempt right after our defeat in the 1977 war. Siad, like you say, did many a good things for Somalia, treated everyone equally, and even went in to the 1977 war intent on actually realizing the objective sewn into our flag.

 

Yet after a time of national defeat at the hands of the Communist world; a time of national grief and mourning; at a time of national loss a greedy and selfish clan-based coup was undertaken by a clan group who felt this was the most opportune moment to set the clock back to the corrupt 60's. Corruption that had amazed even "Afrophiles". The sentiments of Somalis was summed up by many poets such as Dharbaaxo Jaan, Cabdulle Raage, etc. Nevertheless this was a wake-up call to Siad and implanted in his head doubt and suspicion, leading him to make a very close inner circle. He also started tightening his grip in a bid to be ahead of information, a direct consequence of the SSDF coup which was undertaken at the gates of Mogadishu.

 

That, believe it or not, was the road to autocracy.

[Malika]

Lets leave the Old man to rest in peace,only Allah is the judge of him and his actions.But there is no excuse for Somalia and Somalis to continue existing in mayhem!..we do claim to be Muslims dont we? so why is it that we habour so much hate,animosity within us?..

 

When those in the know how,act and behave as those in the dark,what chances is there for a peaceful Somalia..How the likes of Ali Mahdi became,a spokes person for peace, subhanallah!This is were it gets disapointing,when those whom unleashed fear,chaos are spokes persons for peace and unity??

 

God help Somalis!How gulliable,predictable we can be!

[Gabbal]

Originally posted by Dabshid:

^^Siyaad Barre iyo naxariis kala daa, if he doesnt go to hell, Nobody will!

 

Horn, Adeer what do you mean,"Somaali baad Tahay", goormey ceeb noqotay Somalinimadu. Waxa halkaa ina dhigay waa wixii uu 21 sano abuurayey, I am ashamed that you come here and try to protect the evil dictator, who brought all these misery, it does not sources to prove of who Siyad barre is,look the angry folks in the north, who once took part in fighting for the somali unity. Siyad will be remembered well in Somali history.

Wakhti badan kugu dhumin maayo. I do not like nor appreciate hit and run tactics. You made an assertion that nepotism and corruption were engineered in Somalia by the late president and I gave you a direct reply shredding your ignorance by showing that the 1969 coup itself was borne as a result of the heavy corruption and nepotism in the 60's. Respond directly to my response to you or cease addressing me at all.

[Nehanda]

Let bygone be bygone and ilahay ha u naxiristo.

 

Nonetheless under Mr Barre gvt terrible crimes where committed and Somalia descended into anarchy! Hence that totally eclipse any former success he may achieved.

[Juje]

Originally posted by HornAfrique:

It all has to do with the

SSDF

coup attempt right after our defeat in the 1977 war. Siad, like you say, did many a good things for Somalia, treated everyone equally, and even went in to the 1977 war intent on actually realizing the objective sewn into our flag..... a greedy and selfish clan-based coup was undertaken by a clan group who felt this was the most opportune moment to set the clock back to the corrupt 60's......Nevertheless this was a wake-up call to Siad and implanted in his head doubt and suspicion, leading him to make a very close inner circle. He also started tightening his grip in a bid to be ahead of information, a direct consequence of the SSDF coup which was undertaken at the gates of Mogadishu.

 

That, believe it or not, was the road to autocracy.

Priceless....

[Faarax-Brawn]

Originally posted by Dahia al Kahina:

Was Siad Barre an exceptional leader? Nah! he was a mere product of the aftermath of the post colonial African dilemmas. Indeed Somalia had great hopes in its initial success as a nation, but like majority of other African countries during the era of post colonialism found it self losing its powerful alliance of the elite and the masses that brought freedom , as a new elite became self serving allied to metropolitan interests of former colonial powers. Politics of exclusion became the order of the day as the elite to capture and retain power exploited regional and tribal differences, so things like one party,dictatorship,life presidency and military coups became the order of the day..

 

There were two external reasons that also contributed greatly to the collapse of the African/Somali nationalism, One was the cold war between the west led by the USA in NATO and the East led by USSR and the WARSAW pact countries…As we know Africa yet again lost its own self determination as countries and governments became allies of either powers not because of what they did or did not do for their people but for allegiance to extra African powers. We know our late president tried to play in both camps, which lead to the nation being in a limbo after the war,desparate for allies and material assistance, and without clear direction and coherent ideology, the nightmare began. So do we blame him, some say yes ,some said it was the circumstances that lead to the current situations. I say, YES he was to blame, he had a vision “socialism” which he himself wasn’t clear on. But to give him his due he at some point was able to tame the embedded tribalism in our society, and we enjoyed some years of Somali nationalism, but again due to desperate measures to sustain power, he tripped[ as kids now days would say],which only lead to the downfall of once a promising nation. He was a man that gained power by force, sustained it by force, arrogant [which seems to be the trait of many Somalis] and by all means a confused socialist.

 

 

Of the topic, this comes to mind,my own sentimental memories of those days gone by, I truly miss those exciting days in October,as kids we were dressed in our best outfits to attend parties at the Somali Embassy,were I remember standing by the lawn watching the celebrations in Mogadishu as they were projected on the wall….Aaah,that song is still in my head..am sure it went like this “Gulwadoo Siad, abihii garashadaa ,gebigaa yagoo..something something ….

Dahia well said.

 

Somalia's Problem is more than Siyad Barre & Somalis. To entirely put the country's problem on the former president & in the process demonize the man is but unfair, However, the buck stops at the president's desk. He was the chief paramount of the state & as such should[posthumously] take the blame for the wrongdoings of his 24year rule. Historians, should be able to rightfully record the ills of the regime.

 

That said, I use to hear what seems like a somalicized Arabic saying,Al muctaad maqnuud(He who is in need will do sodomy? ). Dictators running a corrupt poor country,with little resources will almost do anything to get money to stay in power. Siad Barre's dictatorial regime just like most every other dictatorial African regime of that time, clanged to power with the help of Outside forces in the name of the USSR & THE WEST; to further these super powers' agendas. Whatever that agenda was, the communist failed. Somalia,along with other African governments that embraced communism were bound to fail after the demise of the USSR.

 

The money, weapons & AID that was flowing from the soviets abruptly stopped. The little money that was from taxes & businesses, was not enough to run the country. The economy just crumbled thereby leading to corruption(Booli Qaran?) and inflation(Saciir barar?), which leads to nepotism & favoritism which in turn leads to unhappy population.An uprising revolt was imminent & With the lack of democracy, armed resistance was the only way out to drive the dictator out of power. Again,with the help of outside forces.

 

A true patriot & a wise a good leader would read the signs on the wall & put his country and his people first before his ego. If the Late MSB was to run away as he did when the USC were coming, why did he wait till they knocked on his door? He could have just left before these guys came in & negotiated some settlement. But,He didnt do it & to dwell on it further is a waste of time. Let the late president lie in peace. Sadly,The Men who chased him & took part in the destruction of beautiful Somalia are now trying to govern that country. Allah save the people of Somalia.

[General Duke]

Horn adeer, your little thread has been exposed. What Siyad was is evident by what Somalia became through his tenure. The poorest country in the world. Simple. If one measures leadership by what he achieved then that was it.

 

He left on a donkey running away from Aydeed. He died in exile and not loved.

 

Compare Adan Ade and Siyad or Egaal, both were buried in their home's and by the people they led. They both have lasting institutions named after them.

 

Siyad was a failure and his supporters like Horn should have defended him when he needed it, not after 12 years since his death.

[Emperor]

^

[Gabbal]

Originally posted by Juje:

quote:Originally posted by HornAfrique:

It all has to do with the

SSDF coup attempt right after our defeat in the 1977 war. Siad, like you say, did many a good things for Somalia, treated everyone equally, and even went in to the 1977 war intent on actually realizing the objective sewn into our flag..... a greedy and selfish clan-based coup was undertaken by a clan group who felt this was the most opportune moment to set the clock back to the corrupt 60's......Nevertheless this was a wake-up call to Siad and implanted in his head doubt and suspicion, leading him to make a very close inner circle. He also started tightening his grip in a bid to be ahead of information, a direct consequence of the SSDF coup which was undertaken at the gates of Mogadishu.

 

That, believe it or not, was the road to autocracy.

Priceless....

Does that mean you agree or disagree Juje-ow?

[General Duke]

Mohamed Siad Barre,

policeman, soldier, politician: born Shiilaabo, ******, Abyssinian Somaliland c1910; Head of State, Somalia 1969-91; Secretary-General, Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRP) 1976-91; married Khadija Maalin and Dalyad Haji Hashi; died Lagos 2 January 1995.

 

On the evening of 26 January 1991 Mohamed Siad Barre was forced by opponents of his regime to flee Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, for his clan homelands. He did not give up his ambition of recapturing the city for many months,

but, confronted by a vengeful Somali militia

, and alarmed by disagreements between his own family and supporters, Siad eventually fled to Kenya. It was the end of his 22-year rule in Somalia, which had started

as Socialist experimentation and degenerated into dictatorship.

[General Duke]

For a time after his flight, Siad was accommodated in some style at the expense of the Kenyan government, but popular indignation and a press campaign led the Kenyan president, Daniel arap Moi, to refer the problem to the President of Nigeria, Maj-Gen Ibrahim Babangida, then also chairman of the Organisation of African Unity. Siad's entire party was evacuated by plane to Lagos, although some were refused refugee status and returned.

 

Although treated well by the Nigerian authorities,

the fallen dictator was paid scant respect by the average Nigerian, and his home was robbed more than once.

Unable to the end to accept responsibility for the famine and anarchy which has accompanied thesuccession struggle in Somalia,

Siad died a frustrated and embittered man.

The famine and the anarchy was who's fault? Maybe it was the SSDF,SNM who occupied Baidoa

[General Duke]

He inherited a nation that had a parliment, a secure security apparatus and people who were united.

 

In 1958, Somalia's own police force was formed, and by 1 July 1960, when Somalia became independent - uniting with the former British Somaliland Protectorate to form the Somali Republic - Siad had won accelerated promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General of Police. Siad opted for the Somali National Army on its formation in April 1960. He was one of its deputy commanders and was promoted to succeed the Commander-in-Chief when the latter died in 1965. Meantime successive fairly tolerant but complacent civilian regimes made the mistake of ignoring mounting public disquiet, especially over corruption levels. On 15 October 1969, President Abdurashid Ali Shermarke was assassinated. The crime may not have been politically inspired, but the national assembly dithered over his successor and in the early hours of 21 October, Siad led 20 army officers and five police officers in a bloodless coup d'tat.

 

Significant political figures were detained, the constitution suspended, the national assembly closed, political parties banned and the Supreme Court abolished. The country was renamed the Somali Democratic Republic and on 1 November the conspirators constituted themselves the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC).

[Emperor]

^

 

Awoowe maadi iska daysid mase Horn ayaad rabtaa inaad madaxa xanuujisid, lol

 

Although treated well by the Nigerian authorities, the fallen dictator was paid scant respect by the average Nigerian, and his home was robbed more than once. Unable to the end to accept responsibility for the famine and anarchy which has accompanied thesuccession struggle in Somalia, Siad died a frustrated and embittered man.

Subxanallah, walle waan ka caroodaybee, this man used to be our President and hence Nigerian government should have shown more to respect him, inkastoo maskiin qaxooti ku ah uu iska ahaa hadana Somalia ku tixgaliyaan bay ahayd.