Somalia
Colonial Africa
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Company: 1998-2009, How Stuff Works, Inc.
Africa was divided
based upon European
needs
not considered were
ethnic groups,
economic structures,
historical cooperation
or conflict
Somali divided among
Italy, Britain and
France
Somali Independence
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1900—began fighting against European
domination
1960—independence from Britain
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North and South United
Wanted to reclaim ‘Lost Lands’
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Ogaden Province of Ethiopia: home to ethnic Somalis,
Ogaden Clan
Northern Frontier Province of Kenya
Djibouti
“Somalia is the only state in Africa all of whose
members share a history, language, and culture.” (B.
H. Selassie, p. 98).
Copyright: NationMaster, 2003-2009.
For large image click the following link:
http://images.nationmaster.com/images/motw/africa/somalia_ethnic_2002.jpg
Organization of African Unity,
1964
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Meets in Cairo
Recognized the colonial inherited
borders
Somali objects
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Right to self-determination of those
Somalis in other countries, particularly
Ogaden Province, Ethiopia
http://www.mideastweb.org/mnafrica.htm
Cold War Tensions
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United States: Supports Ethiopia
Somalia requests arms from US, 1962
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Somalia begins receiving Soviet Aid, 1964
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Refused
Soviets trying to build up their navy
Mogadishu’s Army 20,000 strong equipped with
Russian tanks and squadrons of MiG fighters
Somalia joins the Arab League
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Islam is practiced; however, Somalis are not
Arab
General Siad Barre
October 21, 1969
takes over power
1970: Claims
Scientific Socialism
for Somalia—aligns
with the Soviet
Union
Unifies the varied
clans in pursuit of
nationalistic goals
For large image click the following link:
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~hmohamed/somalis.html
Ogaden War, 1976-1979
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Copyright Unknown. If the reader knows
who holds the copyright, please contact
Oscar Chamberlain at the University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Proxy Conflict of
the Cold War
West Somali
Liberation Front
training in Ethiopia
Somalia could
claim it was
supporting the
rights of ethnic
Somalis in Ethiopia
Ogaden War (Con’t)
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February, 1977 fighting breaks out
Somali forces initially successful
June, 1977 Ethiopia claims a full scale
Somali invasion
September, 1977 Ethiopia severs
diplomatic ties with Somali
End of the Ogaden War
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Soviet Union begins leaning towards Ethiopia
December 1978 withdraws military advisor from
Somalia and reassigns to Ethiopia
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Crucial Somali military information regarding troop
capabilities and deployment
US and France announce no further arms
shipments to Somalia
Ethiopia gains the upper hand
Somalia withdraws summer 1979
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More subtle strategy for the Lost Territories…had
alienated all neighbors
Humanitarian Crisis
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Famine 1972-1974
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Drought
250,000 seek refuge in camps
Resettled in fishing and cultivation schemes in the south
One Million refugees from the Ogaden War
Constitution 1979: Somali Democratic Republic
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Nearly unlimited power to the president
Disparity of economic development favors the South over
the North
Clan affiliation all-important
Growing Opposition
General Barre using
more repression
Clan based affiliations
and alliances offer
political and armed
resistance to Barre
1989 United States
cut off foreign aid
completely
Mogadishu
Click link for larger picture and more information on that day’s actions
from BBC News Online. At
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/africa/937424.stm
Uprising in the North, spring
1988
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Political and economic considerations
North produced surplus livestock
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Somali National Movement
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Largest share of export earnings
Barre Gov’t invested in the south
Opposition in the North
Wanted connections with the populations in
Ethiopia and Djibouti
Barre government bombed the north
The Manifesto, May 1990
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Calls for:
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National conference to reconcile various
movements and ethnic groups
Blamed the government for atrocities committed
during the clan uprisings
Suggested the abolition of repressive laws
Multiparty system, constitutional changes
Proposed a caretaker government and election
preparations
General Barre arrests many of the
signatories; conflicts continue
The Collapse of the Barre
Government
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December 1990 Egypt and Italy host conference
January 5, 1991 US rescues Americans and other
Westerners from Mogadishu
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United Nations staff evacuated
January 21, 1991 Barre flees Mogadishu
Clan leaders begin to form their own governments
November 1991-March 1992 fighting in Mogadishu
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30,000 dead during the fighting
500,000 without basic services
300,000 dead of hunger and hunger related diseases
500,000 flee to camps in Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti
Clan Leadership
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Somali National Movement – Abdul Rahman Tur.
Somali Salvation Democratic Front – Colonel
Tusuf.
**United Somali Congress (Aideed faction)
General Mohammed Farah Aideed.
**United Somali Congress (Ali Mahdi faction) Ali
Mahdi Muhammed.
Somali National Front – General Mohamed Said
Hersi Morgan.
Somali Patriotic Movement – Colonel Omar
Jess.
Army Times, December 14, 1992
UNOSOM I
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United Nations Security Council Resolution
751(1992)
January, 1992 Complete arms embargo called by
the UN
February, 1992 Cease-fire agreed to by Somali
Clans
March, 1992 Establishment of UNOSOM
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Monitor the cease-fire
Assist with humanitarian relief
50 military observers, 500 member infantry unit
Immediate assistance to 1.5 million people, and help for
an additional 3.5 million people
UNOSOM
http://www.militaryphotos.net/f
orums/showthread.php?t=744
01&page=2
UNOSOM Compound,
Mogadishu
Close protection party, Somalia
1993-4 (UNOSOM)
Problems for UNOSOM I
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Continued fighting between Aideed and
Mahdi
Humanitarian aid and medical supplies
looted
Pakistani troops could not respond; general
UN rules of engagement
UNOSOM could not carry out its mandate
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Famine in the interior continued
Somali land in the north declares its
independence
Creation of UNITAF
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United Nations Security Council Resolution 794(1992)
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President George H. W. Bush
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Member states to use all possible means
Establish secure environment for humanitarian relief
Humanitarian tragedy continuing
Operation Restore Hope: December 4, 1992
American troops land: December 9, 1992
Bush has lost the ’92 election to Bill Clinton
Goals of United Task Force:
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Multinational coalition of military units
Command and control--American
Traditional military organization
UNITAF
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Secretary General Boutros
Boutros-Ghali, Egypt
Assisted General Barre’s
regime
Aideed distrustful of
Boutros-Ghali; Mahdi
supported Boutros-Ghali
Announces UN force of
3,000
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Boutros BoutrosGhali
Photo: United
Nations Website
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Was only to be 500
Security situation in
Mogadishu deteriorates
Armed groups of Somalis
begin to harass the relief
efforts
UNITAF
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“The United Sates has undertaken to take
the lead in creating the secure environment
which is an inescapable condition for the
United Nations to provide humanitarian
relief and promote national reconciliation
and economic reconstruction, objectives
which have from the outset been included in
the various Security Council resolutions on
Somalia.” -UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali to
President Bush December 8, 1992
UNITAF
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Approximately 28,000
US soldiers and
17,000 soldiers from
20 other countries
Securing:
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Air and seaports
Food distribution points
Open and free passage
of relief supplies
Convoys for relief
organizations
A US soldier serving with the Unified Task
Force (UNITAF) in Jilib, Somalia - April
1993
UN 159831 M. Grant
Close protection party, Somalia 1993-4
(UNOSOM)
UNITAF Transition
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March, 1993 President Clinton wants
to transition back to UN control
UN wants more security first
UNOSOM II
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Should have enforcement powers
Establish secure environment in Somalia
Rebuild economic, political and social life
through national reconciliation
United States
Rangers and Delta Force
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Separate military agenda from UNITAF
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UNITAF was humanitarian military relief
Rangers and Delta Force were political
Looking to weaken or topple the
Aideed organization
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Engaged in raids leading to the capture
of Aideed’s men
Utilized helicopters and quick assaults
Somalia, 1993
Lt. Col. Johnson of the 22rd ARW Public
Affairs Office interacts with Somali
children
American soldiers and journalists walked
openly and casually down the streets of
Mogadishu
http://www.flickr.com/photos/virtualsugar/150
2670392/in/set-72157594529957406/
October 3, 1993
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1
Mission to capture two of Aideed’s lieutenants
Informant identified location of meeting across from the
Olympic Hotel near the Bakara Market; heart of Aideed’s
territory
Men and Machines
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4 AH-6 Little Bird helicopters initial sweep and rear security
4 MH-6 Little Bird helicopters carrying Delta Force
8 Black Hawk Helicopters carrying Delta Force, Rangers, CSAR
(Combat Search and Rescue Team), and mission commanders
9 Humvees and three 5-ton trucks carrying Delta Operators,
Rangers, SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Team Six
3 surveillance birds and 1 spy plane
160 men total
Bloodiest battle in any
UN peacekeeping
operation:
*18 American soldiers
dead, 78 wounded
*An American and a
Nigerian Captured
*Approximately 500
Somalis killed, 1000+
wounded
-Bowden, 1999
http://www.empereur.com/nations/somal
ia/rangerlocation.gif
October 3, 1993
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Chalk 4 roped in one block north of
drop point
Private First Class Blackburn fell 70
feet to the road
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2
Needed to be evacuated
Initial success of mission
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Delta found targets in building
October 3, 1993
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3
All chalks begin taking fire
Humvee convey evacuating Blackburn hit,
suffer one casualty, but make it out
Road blocks begin to be erected by Somalis
Chief Warrant Officer Cliff Wolcott’s Black
Hawk Super Six One is hit
Delta has detainees and is re-loaded on
Humvees
October 3, 1993
4
http://www.specialoperations.com/Ope
rations/Restore_Hope/mog.jpg
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Rescue attempt begins
Heavy fire, poor communications
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“Lost Convoy”
Ground forces become pinned down
October 3, 1993
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5
Chief Warrant Officer
Mike Durant’s
BlackHawk Super 64
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Responsible for Chalk
1 deployment
Providing support
Took over Wolcott’s
route when he went
down
Hit by RPG, goes down
From: Bowden, M. Black Hawk Down.
October 3, 1993
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6
Durant went down south of the fighting
BlackHawk Landed upright
Air rescue already in at the first crash site
No ground reinforcements could get to Durant
Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart and Master
Sergeant Gary Gordon
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Delta snipers
On BlackHawk Super Six Two circling Durant’s site
Rope in to provide support to the crash site
October 3, 1993
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Durant and Co-pilot Ray Frank regain
consciousness
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7
Durant: broken leg and crushed vertebrae
Frank: crushed vertebrae
Shughart and Gordon get Durant, Frank and Staff
Sergeant Bill Cleveland and Sergeant Tommie Field
out of the BlackHawk
Somalis closing in on the position
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Only additional support coming from the air
No ground support
Site is quickly over-run
All are killed except for Durant who is captured
October 3, 1993
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Rescue: 10th Mountain Companies, UN’s
Pakistani and Malaysian forces
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8
Initial confusion over responsibilities
US controlled the mission, but UN forces were
unpredictable
Many US soldiers had to run out of the fight
Return to the Pakistani base of operations
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Receive medical treatment
Mike Durant
Winn Mahuron, Tommie Field, Bill
Cleveland, Ray Frank and Mike
Durant
Mike Durant giving thumbs up to
photographers.
For more information about Mike Durant and to view larger images of the
above pictures, click the following link and go to Media:
http://www.mikedurant.com/
Mike Durant
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Initial capture
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Taken by rebels
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Driven around
Held for initial hours as a hostage, not prisoner of war
Takes ricochet bullet to the shoulder
Asked to make videotape, responds “No”
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Mo’alim Jousuf Dahir, Aideed faction
Striped of his clothing, kicked, hit, rifle butt to the face, blind-folded
Durant: “No, I’m not a Ranger.”
Interviewer: “You kill people innocent.”
Durant: “Innocent people being killed is not good.”
Given basic medical treatment
Aideed pays ransom
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Abdullahi Hassan “Firimbi” Propaganda minister for Aideed
Durant is moved
Mike Durant
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Decent treatment
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Aideed wanted to trade with the US
Received visitors after five days
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International Red Cross
Reporters from The Guardian and Liberation
“Too many innocent people are getting killed.
People are angry because they see civilians
getting killed. I don’t think anyone who doesn’t
live here can understand what is going wrong
here. Americans mean well. We did try to help.
Things have gone wrong.” –Michael Durant
http://www.mikedurant.com/
Release
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US would not
negotiate with Aideed
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Either release or a
rescue effort would
begin
Aideed believed the
release would show
the goodwill of his
faction
Turned over to Red
Cross officials
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Brought to airport and
transported to Germany
'http://img336.imageshack.us/my.php?image=miked
urant9rx.jpg'><img
src='http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/3494/mike
durant9rx.th.jpg' border='0'/></a>
United States Political
Realities
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US distracted by other events
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Humanitarian mission
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Clinton new to office
European ‘issues’
Famine and drought
Clinton announces troop withdrawal by
March, 1994
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US mission scrapped
United Nations Response
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Aideed called for a cease-fire
November 1993 UN Resolution
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Suspension called for the arrest of Aideed
Mimicked US policy
Somali reconciliation: Military troops were
removed
Somalis would need to provide security to aid
workers on their own
UNOSOM runs until March, 1995
Since March, 1994
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Aideed dies
Somalia is a Collapsed State
Lawlessness
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Armed Conflict
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Street crime
Kidnapping
Clan fighting continues
Lack of a Central Government
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Many powerful warlords prefer the current system
Somalis fear a strong-armed government
Private business owners profit from the chaos
Somalia Today
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“The bottom line is that, unless the United
States works aggressively with Somali,
regional actors and the international
community to create stability in Somali, that
country will remain what it has been since
the early 1990s, a haven for terrorists and
warlords and a source of instability in a
critical region.” --Senator Russ Feingold, Committee of Foreign
Relations, 2008
Government Structure
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Transitional Federal Institutions
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Established 2004 to run until 2009
Elections for a permanent government to
be held in 2009
Transitional President Abdullahi Yusuf
Ahmed, parliamentary legislative branch,
no functioning judicial branch
Union of Islamic Courts