Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party
Encyclopedia
The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party was the governing political party
in Somalia
from 1976 to 1991.
XHKS was created by the military regime of Siad Barre
under Soviet
guidance. A founding congress was held in June 1976. The congress elected a Central Committee
, with Barre as the party general secretary. A five-member politburo
, consisting of Barre, Lt. General Muhammad Ali Samatar
(vice-president), Major General Husseen Kulmiye (2nd vice-president), Brig. Ahmad Sulaymaan Abdullah and Brig. Ismail Ali Abukor (who was later replaced by Brig. Ahmad Mahamuud Faarah was constituted ) . Party cadres also included prominent socialists such as Abdulrahman Aidiid, Mohamed F. Weyrah and (a well known socialist economist
) and Abukar Sh. M Hussien.
During a brief period, prior to the escalation of conflict
with Ethiopia
in 1977, XHKS developed relations with foreign communist parties, such as the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
and Socialist Unity Party of Germany
. CPSU initiated a programme of assistance for the XHKS party school. After the break with the socialist states, a group including XHKS CC member broke away to form splinter groups. This was even further accelerated by the failed military coup of April 9, 1978. Popularly known as ”Nova Aprile”. In 1981 dissident factions would emerge as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia
.
When Barre's regime fell in 1991, XHKS disappeared. In the same year the Somali National Front
was organized by Barre loyalists.
XHKS was in theory a Marxist-Leninist party, but also included Islam
and Pan-Somalism teachings in its ideology.
, but in reality there was little change in political practice. Power was concentrated to three clans. The party developed an intelligence branch, Baadhista xisbiga, which worked parallel to state intelligence and paramilitary groups. At most XHKS had around 20 000 members. XHKS held its 3rd Congress in November 1986. A major reshuffle of the Central Committee took place.
The Seventh Article of the 1979 constitution of the Somali Democratic Republic clarified the role of XHKS:
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Somalia
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 1976 to 1991.
History
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 ....
under Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
guidance. A founding congress was held in June 1976. The congress elected a Central Committee
Central Committee
Central Committee was the common designation of a standing administrative body of communist parties, analogous to a board of directors, whether ruling or non-ruling in the twentieth century and of the surviving, mostly Trotskyist, states in the early twenty first. In such party organizations the...
, with Barre as the party general secretary. A five-member politburo
Politburo
Politburo , literally "Political Bureau [of the Central Committee]," is the executive committee for a number of communist political parties.-Marxist-Leninist states:...
, consisting of Barre, Lt. General Muhammad Ali Samatar
Muhammad Ali Samatar
Muhammad Ali Samatar is a Somali politician and former Prime Minister of Somalia from 1 February 1987 to 3 September 1990.- Biography :Samatar was born in 1931 in Somalia...
(vice-president), Major General Husseen Kulmiye (2nd vice-president), Brig. Ahmad Sulaymaan Abdullah and Brig. Ismail Ali Abukor (who was later replaced by Brig. Ahmad Mahamuud Faarah was constituted ) . Party cadres also included prominent socialists such as Abdulrahman Aidiid, Mohamed F. Weyrah and (a well known socialist economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
) and Abukar Sh. M Hussien.
During a brief period, prior to the escalation of conflict
Ogaden War
The Ogaden War was a conventional conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1977 and 1978 over the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. In a notable illustration of the nature of Cold War alliances, the Soviet Union switched from supplying aid to Somalia to supporting Ethiopia, which had previously been...
with Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
in 1977, XHKS developed relations with foreign communist parties, such as the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the only legal, ruling political party in the Soviet Union and one of the largest communist organizations in the world...
and Socialist Unity Party of Germany
Socialist Unity Party of Germany
The Socialist Unity Party of Germany was the governing party of the German Democratic Republic from its formation on 7 October 1949 until the elections of March 1990. The SED was a communist political party with a Marxist-Leninist ideology...
. CPSU initiated a programme of assistance for the XHKS party school. After the break with the socialist states, a group including XHKS CC member broke away to form splinter groups. This was even further accelerated by the failed military coup of April 9, 1978. Popularly known as ”Nova Aprile”. In 1981 dissident factions would emerge as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia
Somali Salvation Democratic Front
Somali Salvation Democratic Front , initially known as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia was a political and paramilitary umbrella organization in Somalia. Founded in 1978 by several army officers, it was the first of several opposition groups dedicated to ousting the authoritarian...
.
When Barre's regime fell in 1991, XHKS disappeared. In the same year the Somali National Front
Somali National Front
The Somali National Front was a political revolutionary movement and armed militia in Somalia.-History:Initially made up of loyalists to former President of Somalia Siad Barre and the remnants of the Somali National Army forces after his ouster from office, the SNF's intent and goal was to...
was organized by Barre loyalists.
Ideology
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and Pan-Somalism teachings in its ideology.
Organisation
XHKS was supposed to function as a political force transcending clan linesSomali clan
The demographics of Somalia describes the condition and overview of Somalia's inhabitants. Demographic topics include basic education, health and population statistics, as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.-Somalis:...
, but in reality there was little change in political practice. Power was concentrated to three clans. The party developed an intelligence branch, Baadhista xisbiga, which worked parallel to state intelligence and paramilitary groups. At most XHKS had around 20 000 members. XHKS held its 3rd Congress in November 1986. A major reshuffle of the Central Committee took place.
Role in Somali Government