Siyad Barre Prepared To ‘Hand over Power’

[Meseret]

Mogadishu Domestic Service in Somali

1715 GMT 12 Apr 1990



[Speech by President Siyaad Barre at Armed Forces Day ceremony; 11 April/90]



[Text] In the name of God, the most compassionate and most merciful. Comrades, I greet you all from the bottom of my heart. I believe [applause] that, after congratulating you all, the history of the Somali Democratic Republic Armed Forces [Xoogga Dalka Soomaaliyeed] does not need a long speech. The achievements of the SDR Armed Forces speak-for themselves. The achievements of the SDR Armed Forces are known by everybody.



The 30th anniversary of the SDR Armed Forces is being celebrated by all those who love the Somali nation. The SDR Armed Forces spearheaded the defense of the dignity and honor of the Somali nation. The SDR Armed Forces have on many occasions joined hands with the general public of Somalia to ensure that the very exist­ence of the nationhood of Somalia is maintained and safeguarded. The members of the SDR Armed Forces and their families have sacrificed their lives in safe­guarding the security and defense of Somalia. The mem­bers of the Armed Forces have striven hard to help the Somali people.



The achievements of the SDR Armed Forces were put to the test during the torrential rains and floods which affected half of Somalia, especially the central and southern regions [date not given]. The SDR Armed Forces rushed to inaccessible areas using whatever equipment and resources were at their disposal to rescue individuals, families, and their livestock marooned in various areas. This was followed by the cholera epi­demic, during which the SDR Armed Forces helped to deliver medicine, clean water, and food to remote vil­lages in various regions of Somalia. Another occasion on which the SDR Army fully participated in social services was during the prolonged drought in Somalia. The Army moved entire families by road and air to areas where food was easily accessible. [applause]



Comrades, those of you who witnessed what I am talking about will rate the achievements of the SDR Armed Forces very high. Some reactionary elements among the Somali people refuse to see the work done by their forces at all. Some who listen to the propaganda put out by enemies of Somalia also refuse to see the achievements of the SDR Armed Forces. Tomorrow these elements will have a bad name among the Somali people.



Comrades, there is no permanent happiness or perma­nent calamity on the earth. Everything has its moment, and that is what we have seen happen to the SDR Armed Forces. The SDR Armed Forces will appear on a golden page of the history of the Somali nation. I believe some of you sitting here are among those who took part in the inception of the SDR Armed Forces. I believe you understand the difficult role the Army played in safe­guarding the nation’s dignity and honor. I appeal to the public to give their due respect to those persons who took part in the inception of the SDR Armed Forces and who are living among us. [applause]



We need to revert to the original discipline of the Army and members of the public generally. [words indistinct] I thank you. [applause]



I now turn to another issue, which is in the interests of the Somali nation. What we need is to find a solution to the problems facing the people. They need to obtain water, food, and other necessities. It is imperative for all of us to strive and get these things. Once again, I repeat that those Somali people who have fled outside the country and who have been cheated... [changes thought]



I appeal to them to return home and make use of the opportunities that exist here. If you have differences with us, come and let us debate. People debate, there is nothing wrong in having differences and debating them. If you have differences with your brother, the best solution is to hold a discussion where he will raise his point of view and you do likewise. After debating, the two of you will come to a compromise. I hope that many people who are not Somalis but who are engaged in causing a stir about some issues will recognize that it is not in their interests nor in the interests of the Somali people, and will finally refrain from such lies and pro­paganda. If they need anything from Somalia, they should come forward and say we need this and that from you. I will leave that issue there. [applause].



We said earlier, and we still believe that we are not at war with any individual country. We say to anyone among the people of the world who needs peace and good relations that we are ready for that. We welcome those who interest themselves with peace and stability. We extend genuine peace and friendship to them. Our offer is not sugar-coated with lies and cheating.



In conclusion, you will recall that the Central Committee of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party [SRSP] has approved the formation of other political parties, so as to allow everyone to participate in national issues. No one will be hoodwinked into an ideology he does not believe in. We call on all Somalis to participate in the forth­coming exercise. We are prepared for that [applause]. I once again invite those outside the country to come inside and participate in whatever is going on.



The final decision of who will govern this country is in the hands of the Somali public. We are prepared to hand over power to whomever the Somali public chooses. Thank you. [applause]