Somali Salvation Democratic Front

Infobox Somali faction
faction_name=Somali Salvation Democratic Front


leaders=Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (1981-1984, 1991?-1998), Musse Islam (1984-1986), Hassan Ali Mireh (1986-1988), Mohamed Abshir Musa (1991?-1998)
clan_tribe=Majerteen
active_years=1981–1998
headquarters=
areaofoperations=Puntland
predecessor=Somali Salvation Front, Somali Workers Party, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Somalia
successor=Puntland
allies=United Somali Congress (USC), United Somali Party, Somali National Democratic Union.
opponents=Siad Barre

Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) (in Somali: "Jabhadda Diimuqraadiga Badbaadinta Soomaaliyeed", and initially known as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia), has been one of the major political and paramilitary umbrella organizations in Somalia since its founding in 1981 by several officers opposed to the regime of Siad Barre. It has its power base mainly in the Majerteen clan.

Early History

The DFSS formally incorporated 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 (a front of the Communist Party of Somalia). An 11-member Central Committee was constituted, of which the SSF leaders held 7 seats. Some former CC 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.

In the summer of 1982 SSDF forces took part in an major Ethiopian offensive against Somalia. The campaign was called off when the United States initiated emergency military aid to Somalia. However some territory, including two district towns, had come under Ethiopian and SSDF control. The Mengistu regime declared that the territory was part of Ethiopia, something which created problems in the relations between the Ethiopian government and SSDF. In any case, the action was swiftly repulsed, and according to the U.S. Department of State, resulted in severe reprisals against the Majerteen clan; [ [http://www.madhibaan.org/faq/report-2003-6.htm madhibaan.org ] ] the SSDF itself would be implcated in killings of members of Siad's own Marehan clan, in Cel-Habred in the Galgadud region in the early 1980s. [ [http://www.civicwebs.com/cwvlib/africa/somalia/2001/Farole/peace_process_in_somalia.htm The Peace Process in Somalia ] ] .

A conflict soon emerged between the former SSF and the more leftist members. The SSF clique wanted to maintain the domination of SSDF of Majerteen and Darood clans. They made a deal with the Ethiopian government to purge the leftists. In 1984 the Mengistu government jailed many leading SSDF members, such as then colonel Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. (In 1984) [Mohamed Abshir Waldo] , was installed as provisional SSDF Chairman.

From 1983 onwards many leaders, belonging to the Darood clan, were bought over by Barre. Many SSDF fighters defected to the regime. By 1985 SSDF had ceased most of their military operations against the Siad Barre regime.

In 1986 an SSDF congress was held, which elected Dr. Hassan Ali Mireh as chairman. He resigned in 1988, leaving a power vacuum in the organization. Musse Islan, a Somali, was elected leader by the SSDF Central Committee to hold the position until a Congress was convened.

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.

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

Post-1991

After the fall of the Barre regime, SSDF (based largely in northeastern Somalia) was divided in two factions. One was led by General Mohamed Abshir Musa (chairman) and the other was led by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (deputy chairman, "president" of Puntland). Musa has been staying in Saudi Arabia for an extended period of time. The general secretary is Mohammed Abshir Waldo.

A congress was held in August 1994. Former Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdirizak Haji Huseen, was offered the chairmansip of SSDF by a group of clan leaders, but declined. Both Mohamed Abshir Musa and Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed have claimed that they were elected chairman at that congress.

In 1998 SSDF proclaimed north-eastern Somalia as the Puntland State of Somalia together with the United Somali Party and the Somali National Democratic Union.

On October 10 2004 Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was elected president of Somalia by the Somali parliament in exile.

References