Ali Mahdi Muhammad
Encyclopedia
Ali Mahdi Muhammad (born 1938) was president of Somalia
from January 1991 to November 1991. He rose to power when Mohamed Farrah Aidid
forced then president Mohamed Siad Barre out of office. Muhammad, however, was not able in that time to exert control over the country. Following this, the nation fell into anarchy
, with only local warlords and separatist groups wielding real power.
clan elements within the USC. Early in the Somali Civil War
, he and Mohammed Farah Aidid worked together to oust Siad Barre
. But no sooner had Barre been ousted than Ali Mahdi Muhammad unilaterally declared himself Barre's successor as interim President. The shock of the news caused an irreparable sundering of the USC between those who followed Ali Mahdi ("USC Mahdi", mainly members of the Abgaal clan) and those who followed Aidid (who, in turn, went on to create the Somali National Alliance
or "USC/SNA").
The warring between these two leaders continued on through the 1992–95 UN missions to Somalia (UNOSOM I
, UNOSOM II
, and UNITAF
). During 1995, Mohammed Farah Aidid claimed the title of the President of Somalia. However, his precedency was short-lived as he died less than a year later 1996. Nevertheless, the intense rivalry continued on even after his death, as SNA
leadership was passed on to Aidid's son, Hussein Mohammed Farah Aidid, who also claimed the Presidency of Somalia.
On December 17, 1996, Ali Mahdi Mohamed attacked Hussein Aidid's headquarters after five days of fighting that left 135 dead in Mogadishu.
On December 22, 1997, Hussein Aidid relinquished the disputed title of President by signing the Cairo Declaration
, in Cairo
, Egypt
following a peace process between the Salbalar administration and the Soodare Group. Thereafter, neither Aidid nor Ali Mahdi would have the claim to the Presidency. It was the first major step towards reconciliation since 1991.
On March 30, 1998, Ali Mahdi Mohamed and Hussein Aidid put together a peace plan, which saw them sharing power over Mogadishu, effectively marking the end of a period of seven years of unmitigated fighting since the ouster of Siad Barre
in 1991.
(TNG), the predecessor to the present Transitional Federal Government
(TFG), Ali Mahdi Muhammad blamed Ethiopia for interfering in the meetings. He left the Eldoret conference in Kenya
to return to Mogadishu, stating that the conference was a waste of time.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
from January 1991 to November 1991. He rose to power when Mohamed Farrah Aidid
Mohamed Farrah Aidid
General Mohamed Ali Farrah Aidid was a controversial Somali military leader, often described as a warlord. A former general and diplomat, he was the chairman of the United Somali Congress and later led the Somali National Alliance...
forced then president Mohamed Siad Barre out of office. Muhammad, however, was not able in that time to exert control over the country. Following this, the nation fell into anarchy
Anarchy
Anarchy , has more than one colloquial definition. In the United States, the term "anarchy" typically is meant to refer to a society which lacks publicly recognized government or violently enforced political authority...
, with only local warlords and separatist groups wielding real power.
United Somali Congress (USC)
Muhammad was a leading member of the AbgaalAbgaal
Abgaal is a Somali clan, and part of the major Hawiye clan. Its members live in the Shabeellaha Dhexe, Galguduud, Banaadir, Mudug, Lower Shebelle, Middle Juba, and Jubbada Hoose regions of Central and southern Somalia...
clan elements within the USC. Early in the Somali Civil War
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
, he and Mohammed Farah Aidid worked together to oust Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
. But no sooner had Barre been ousted than Ali Mahdi Muhammad unilaterally declared himself Barre's successor as interim President. The shock of the news caused an irreparable sundering of the USC between those who followed Ali Mahdi ("USC Mahdi", mainly members of the Abgaal clan) and those who followed Aidid (who, in turn, went on to create the Somali National Alliance
Somali National Alliance
The Somali National Alliance was a political alliance formed in June, 1992 with Mohamed Farrah Aidid as its head. Its constituents included Aidid's breakaway United Somali Congress faction, the Somali Patriotic Movement and other southern factions. They were one faction in the Somali Civil War...
or "USC/SNA").
The warring between these two leaders continued on through the 1992–95 UN missions to Somalia (UNOSOM I
UNOSOM I
United Nations Operation in Somalia I was the first part of a United Nations sponsored effort to provide, facilitate, and secure humanitarian relief in Somalia, as well as to monitor the first UN-brokered ceasefire of the Somali Civil War conflict in the early 1990s.The operation was established...
, UNOSOM II
UNOSOM II
United Nations Operation in Somalia II was the second phase of the United Nations intervention in Somalia, from March 1993 until March 1995....
, and UNITAF
UNITAF
Unified Task Force was a United States-led, United Nations-sanctioned multinational force which operated in Somalia between 5 December 1992 – 4 May 1993...
). During 1995, Mohammed Farah Aidid claimed the title of the President of Somalia. However, his precedency was short-lived as he died less than a year later 1996. Nevertheless, the intense rivalry continued on even after his death, as SNA
Somali National Alliance
The Somali National Alliance was a political alliance formed in June, 1992 with Mohamed Farrah Aidid as its head. Its constituents included Aidid's breakaway United Somali Congress faction, the Somali Patriotic Movement and other southern factions. They were one faction in the Somali Civil War...
leadership was passed on to Aidid's son, Hussein Mohammed Farah Aidid, who also claimed the Presidency of Somalia.
On December 17, 1996, Ali Mahdi Mohamed attacked Hussein Aidid's headquarters after five days of fighting that left 135 dead in Mogadishu.
On December 22, 1997, Hussein Aidid relinquished the disputed title of President by signing the Cairo Declaration
Cairo Declaration
The Cairo Declaration was the outcome of the Cairo Conference in Cairo, Egypt, on November 27, 1943. President Franklin Roosevelt of the United States, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China were present...
, in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
following a peace process between the Salbalar administration and the Soodare Group. Thereafter, neither Aidid nor Ali Mahdi would have the claim to the Presidency. It was the first major step towards reconciliation since 1991.
On March 30, 1998, Ali Mahdi Mohamed and Hussein Aidid put together a peace plan, which saw them sharing power over Mogadishu, effectively marking the end of a period of seven years of unmitigated fighting since the ouster of Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
in 1991.
Transitional National Government (TNG)
In November 2002, as a member of parliament of the Transitional National GovernmentTransitional National Government
The Transitional National Government of Somalia was established in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Djibouti....
(TNG), the predecessor to the present Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
(TFG), Ali Mahdi Muhammad blamed Ethiopia for interfering in the meetings. He left the Eldoret conference in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
to return to Mogadishu, stating that the conference was a waste of time.