Real Talk: Somalia-Two Periods

[Somaliweyn]

I'll propose to look at the two periods by evaluatuing the performance of the two governments as respect to their failures and accomplishments on four important fields:

-Political front
-Economic front
-Military front
-Social front

This will keep the debate organized and discplined.

To start with the civilian government of 1960-1969. First, I will discuss the performance of this government generally by adressing it as one unit (civilian government), then I will zoom into the performance or better said behaviour of the main players: namely the two presidents and their prime ministers.

-1960-1964: President Aden Abdulle Osman, and Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke
-1964-1967: President Aden Abdulle Osman, and Prime Minister Abdirizak Haji Hussein.

-1967-1969: President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and Prime Minister Mohammed Ibrahim Egal.

So besides achievements, one should also acknowledge the failures of the governments to keep it balanced and learn from both the mistakes as the achievements.

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<< The first government of Somalia<< Its accomplishments and failures.

Political front:

On the political front, every Somali government is supposed to take care of stability, strengthening of the state-apparatus, and not to forget the achievment of National goals as articulated by the government: which was during pre-1991, the re-unification of all Somali lands in Horn of Africa.

Achievements:

- It was democratic in nature, there were elections, peaceful transfer of power, free press etc.

Like David D. Laitin says in Political economy of Military Rule in Somalia (1976):

Civilian government survived for nine years in the Somali Republic. It has been noted by many observers that here was one of the few African states which had peaceful elections: indeed, there were non-violent transfers of power based on the results.

It was the comparative success of institutional parliamentary transfer that led some western scholars to consider Somalia an emerging democratic and stable state.

Failure on political front:

The down side of this pseudo-democracy: Clannism infiltrates the government slowly but steadily and Somali politics with as result: dozens of clan-based parties, hundreds of candidates etc. State apparatus becomes a vehicle for corruption, nepotism and employment agent for a large section of the population. Also, during this time, the first signs of comprised state ability to rise above the society and its clanstructure and be independent of this clanstructure become clear. Government and state apparatus is abused by certain sections of Somali groups in the their own benefit.

Political appointments were made constantly to enhance
'clan' power, and different ministries became satraps for different
clans. What had started out as a putative nation was being torn apart
at the seams through clan 'tribalism'

David D Laitin

Finally, although the Republic had received more foreign aid per capita than
any other African state, nine years of development projects led to little
or no visible improvement in the standard of living - apart perhaps
from the creation of the first generation of millionaires! And so, where
some western observers saw democracy, many Somalis saw corruption,
tribalism, indecision, and stagnation.

Also, in 1964 there was a short border conflict with Ethiopia. Undecided, but Somali government did not achieve it political goal of re-uniting Somali lands. This became clear when in 1964 Kenya became independent with NFD as part of it. So Somali government failed in this respect: National Goal was not achieved.

Next is the economic front.

[Somalian_Boqor]

Voltage ninyaho horta it was Abdirashid Cali Shermarke who was President for only two years.Adan Cadde Served the Country from 1960 to 1967.

You kids can utter what ever you want. But the History of Somalia can not be changed.

You see Somalia history after the erra of colonization so far can be divided into three parts and they are all tight to one another.

Stage 1: 1960 the Peope's Republic of Somalia was born. British Somaliland and Italy Somalia were United. Adan Cadde Elected President. Cadde Unified the Country. Somalias from all walks of Life gether in Mogadisu Somali Capital. The Foundation of Government is build under Adan Cadde.

In the 1967 presidential elections, Shermarke beat out Daar to become the second President of Somalia. He was sworn in to office on June 10, 1967.Adan Cadde steps down from Office. and Abdirashid Cali Shermarke takes office.

Stage 1 continued: Shermake continues the work of Somali Unity. The Foundation of Government becomes stronger under Shermarke. freedom of speech, Press and Assemble are enjoyed. Many political partys formed. After only two years in office On October 15, 1969, while paying a visit to the northern town of Las Anod with colleague Ali Mahdi Muhammad, Shermarke was shot dead by a policeman.His assassination was quickly followed by a military coup on October 21, 1969 the day after his funeral), in which the army seized power without encountering opposition -essentially a bloodless coup. The coup was spearheaded by Major General Muhammad Siad Barre, who was at the time the commander of the army.

Stage 2: The Siyad Barre erra: 1969 Siyad Barre takes office forcefully and declares himself the President of the Republic of Somalia. After many more assassinations, exils and imprisonment of key political figures in the country Siyad takes over a clean house. From 1969-1976 Siyad Barre continues the Politics of Adan iyo Shermake of Somali unity. Government reform was introduced by Siyad. Corruption was limited for the first seven year. After the 77 war with Ethiopia Siyad Barre started a campaign that would bring the Somali nation to it's nees and one that led to 91. The Divide and rule tactics is a classic Siyad policy and one that kept him in Power for 21 years. But the end result is he was given a united Somalia and left a divided poor and dieing Somalia. That is the legacy Siyad Barre has left for us. Right after his overthrow Somaliland declared independence. Mogadishu fail to Aiydiid Somalia iyo Somalinimo were left for dead.

Stage 3: Divided Somalia. From 1991 to 2001 Somalia has seen over 14 government that were formed but failed in their first year or so. Leaders that couldn't reach out to their own family members and sub-clans were elected President 14 times. They were all Hawiye. And not a single one of them could have taken on his own people to recapture the capital reunite the public. 2004 TFG emarged. His excellency President Abduallhi Yusuf was elected to Power. With a power base already in Somalia Yusuf went to work. From 2004 to the end of 2006 the TFG leadership tried all means nessary to bring those who held power together and to give in to Somalia newly found Dawlad. As the usual path Somali's take once they are ask to give up power. The clans Business men iyo Religious groups in Mogadishu united to Destroy the TFG. Having the Somali faith in their hands and not wanting to start a cival war the Somali Parliment called in it's allies from aboard and next door neigbor to help the newly found Somali Government deal with this newly formed organization that wish to destory the TFG.

The battle for Mogadishu has been won so far even though it's still on going but the battle for Somalia continues. The biggest obstacle that has faced the Somali nation in it's history is this one and the leadership that can take Somalia out of this and reunited the public and worked out of Mogadishu and bring back glory and prosperity will be the leader Somalia iyo Somalians shall never forget. Abduallhi Yusuf has a chance that has already been given to many other Somali leader who failed miserable. His Government is bringing end to it's Transional period. After 2009 will offically be a full government with a full force and a full international backing much more than today.


The TFG has put Somalia on the right track. It has brought back the Foundaton of Government that Abdirashid Cali Shermarke iyo Adan Cadde first created. It is trying to bring back the trust Siyad Barre's adminstration destroyed amonst Somalis.


Let the Truth be Told

[sadeboi]

Somaliweyn present the Social and Economic and Military front of that era too.

[Somaliweyn]

On the economic front, every Somali government is supposed to be working towards economic development, becoming economic independent and increasing living standards.



Economic achievements:

It unleashed its first 5 year development plan in 1963. See Z.A Konczacki (Nov., 1976) and Ozay Mehmet (May, 1971)

In this plan:

- 7% of total planned expenditure to development of the livestock sector (very low figure considering the fact that above 80% of Somali people are dependent on the livestock sector for their livelihoods)
- New research projects, well defined program aiming at improvement of animal husbandry and sedentarisation of nomads.
- In the pastoral sector, the Livestock Development Agency was formed in 1965-66
- Provision of water and veterinary services, and adequate marketing facilities and transportation services to increase tradable fraction of herds.
- Development of large areas of land for agricultural production (large state farms at Tugwajaleh and Jilib)
- Increase of sugar output through expansion of productive capacity of Jowhar sugar factory.
- Development of meat packing, fish processing, milk and dairy products, textiles and a few other industries.
- Construction or improvement of a number of roads
- Building/Expanding three seaports at Kismanyo, Berbera, and Mogadishu. (The civilian government expanded most of these ports).


The plan materiaized to some extent. While ofcourse some of the money ended up in private pockets as result of corruption.

So at mid 1966, a report found that the rate of implementation of the plan was only 25%!

To make up for delays in implementation, Government launches in 1968 a two-year Short-Term Development Programme.

Which is: ''the consolidation of the work of the First Five-Year Plan and the creation of basic conditions necessary for the formulation and implementation of future development programmes of a more ambitious nature''

Nontheless, the Economic Plans of the civilian government improved the economy of the country, even after they were replaced by the military government.

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These short-term development programme combined with the 5 year Plan, are the main reason why the period of 1969-1974 showed good economic figures. Siad Barre's regime had the honour to present the results of hard work of the previous government to the Somali people and claim it as their own work.

It is the same as the period of 1954-1963 with the booming livestock sector. In that period, number of cattle exported rose five-fold!, that of sheep, goats and camels three-fold, two-fold and twenty-seven fold respectively! During this same period the quanityt of meat sold for internal consumption in the Southern Region increased by 65%.

Now is this achievement that of the Somali government of 1960? Or of someone else?

As Z.A Konczacki says in 'Nomadism and Economic Development of Somalia: The Position of the Nomads in the Economy of Somalia' (1967):

A new approach to economic planning was adopted during the post-war period by the Italian Trusteeship Authority in the form of the Seven Year Development Plan, 1954-60. The plan was preceded by a number of studies of various agencies of the United Nations, United States Mission in Italy and the A.F.I.S

So the incredible boom in the livestock sector in 1963 is the result of the previous development plan which was implemented under the Italian Trusteeship Authority. It is impossible that a young Republic and a government which only exist 3 years could achieve such a fast incredible export boom of livestock.

Also, this is the reason why Siad Barre's military junta could impossibly claim the incredible performance of the Somali economy between the end of 1969 to 1974. This was the work of the previous civilian government and its various Development Plans and Programs.

[Cawar]

Somali-Boqor

Plz, stay out of this. Its way out of your league and cheap propaganda. Thanks.

PS. No pun intended.

[sadeboi]

Nontheless, the Economic Plans of the civilian government improved the economy of the country, even after they were replaced by the military government.

---
These short-term development programme combined with the 5 year Plan, are the main reason why the period of 1969-1974 showed good economic figures. Siad Barre's regime had the honour to present the results of hard work of the previous government to the Somali people and claim it as their own work.

There is no supporting source of your claims, and so far you have not preseneted any economic improvement those governments did other to just utter it and show us a 5-year plan they wish to implement but the rate of the implementation was only 25% and money for such was pocketed, and you said in 1968 a year before the Revolutionary government came to be they had prepared another 2 year plan. But you have no source nor any further explanation of how they really helped the economic growth of the country. Before you move on, revise that section again and be more clear and bring more source!


Somalian boqor please take the advice of cawar, your input is not needed!

[Somaliweyn]

SB,

How else can you explain the fact that the military government that assumed power by coup d'etat saw impressive economic figures as early as 1969 and 1970-71.......the critical first years in which the generals were preoccupied with survival and power plays?

It is estimated that the new regime took 4-5 years to consolidate its power and really govern the country. The first years were to gain popular support and or eliminate possible competitors. and no serious plans were made for the economy except the socialist rethoric been uttered before 1971-2.

About the implementation leven, 25% is impressive compared to what would come afterwards in the period 1969-1991 were complete funds would dissapear just like snow in a desert.

Also, the farms in Jilib, Togwajale, modern port of Kismanyo before UNISOM expanded and deepened it in the 90s, roads connecting baidoba to Xamar and other important roads were built during that era.

[Somalian_Boqor]

sadeboi

I am out I just wanted my two cents included in this topic.

I will join in the conclusion though since this is open to all forumers as stated by Somaliweyn.

As for Cawar horta do we even know each other?

[Voltage]

I am honestly bored.

Why do I need to present the situation in Russia when I contested the situation in Czechoslovakia?

SOMALIWEYN!

I was ask who has achievements to their name, Addan Cadde, Cabdirashiid, and Siad Barre.

AGAIN, I responded:

Coming from an objective analysis, whether it is because he ruled for 21 years or not, clearly Siad Barre's legacy and his achievements, even just looking at the "good", outweigh the combined achievements of the others multiplied by infinity.

With respect to objectivity my list goes:

1. Mohammed Siad Barre
2. Abdirashiid Ali shermake
3. Aden Cadde

Aden Cadde in his tenure accomplished naught, and I mean naught. But he was a fair and decent man who was also the first modern African ruler to step down democratically.

Abdirashiid Ali Shermake tried to reform the country in order to make it an effective post-colonial African state but under is tenure, not necessarily because it his fault, Somalia became the most corrupt country in the world, over a hundred tribal parties came into existence, he failed to write the Somali script despite the determination by the academics, failed to lobby on behalf of the NFD, and failed to tackle Ethiopia's cross border raids into Somalia. Yet he tried and was also a fair and decent man.

Siad Barre is synonymous with modern Somalia, the good as well as the bad. That really says it all.

You CONSTESTED and like Cawar has analyzed Sabre-rattled even when I had repeatedly given you chance to present your case.

When you failed to present anything, I correctly summarized albeit sarcastically:

Addan Cadde was in power for two years.

Siad Barre was in power for 21 years and is practically synonymous with modern Somalia, good or bad.

Yet you "will" argue Addan Cadde has more achievements, even good, to his name then Siad Barre.

What an objective and brilliant mind you.

I'm done kiddo!

Whether Siad Barre was a dictatorship or the 60's governments were pseudo-democracies are IRRELAVENT and beside the point.

Of the three Somali Presidents how do they rank in achievement??

1. Siad Barre
2. Abdirashiid Ali Shermaake
3. Addan Cadde who has naught a single tangible achievement to his name besides democratically stepping down.

This is the argument and why your petty attempts BORE me.

If you wish to present your case as dealing with the point in topic, I am more then interested in seeing what you bring to the table STARTING WITH the presidents and how they rank in terms of achievements.

You are the one who tried to compare a seed and pumpkin so back it up otherwise amaan nasii.

[Somaliweyn]

Voltage,

Get in line. I know analyses is difficult to grasp for you. Perhaps SB can explain to you what I wrote.

Also, history is the discussion of change not of persons.

[Voltage]

Next time don't make a fool of yourself then.

[Somaliweyn]

Abdirashiid Ali Shermake tried to reform the country in order to make it an effective post-colonial African state but under is tenure, not necessarily because it his fault, Somalia became the most corrupt country in the world,

BTW,

Can you back that up? Or have u heard that from your father or grandpa


Either wait for me to educate you on how proper analysis is done, or if you cant wait go ahead and start without me by backing up whatever you said in that silly post of yours.

For example, you said Abdirashiid Ali Sharmarke started reforms, back it up.

[Cawar]

Voltage

Bal u yara kaadi sxb.

You maybe right about how the argument started..but he seems to be getting the point and has presented some arguments to back up his claim..wether they are facts or not..is another question,
But let him finish and .. hear his conclusion.

[Voltage]

Never mind!

You already admitted the civilian governments achieved naught in your second post of the topic!

SomaliNet Heavyweight
SomaliNet Heavyweight
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So,

Three arguments brought forth by Voltage:

-The civilian government under the first President did nothing and accomplished nothing.
-The civilian government under the second Presidend tried to reform but failed.

-The military regime and its head created modern Somalia.

Lets start with the civilian government.

First of all, I have low esteem of both periods since obviously Somali people were dissapointed by the meagre outcome as result of the failure of the respective governments.But nontheless, I will argue that the military regime succesfully destroyed Somalia while the civilian government only mismanaged Somalia.

You see the argument was never about which one was a dictatorship or which one was a democracy, it was about achievement!

In terms of achievement I correctly said:

1. Siad
2. Abdirshiid
3. Adan

Clearly you correctly agreed with me on the point of which presidency achieved the most since you just implied the Siad government, though a dictatorship and mismanaged as you said, still achieved tremendously superior to the civilian governments.

Now decide as you had decided on the first place, which presidency takes the second place and the third place.

[Addoow]

History remembers adan cadde as a true somali leader while on the other hand it potrays siyad barre as the worst african dictator.!!!