Why is Somalia in Poverty?
To understand the root causes of the problems in Somalia, you have to look at the violent history of the country. It started when Somalia gained it's independence in 1960. One of the things the first regime did was create a system where different clans in Somalia were unequal. This set the stage for the violence that would ensue. In 1969, the military staged a coup d’état against the government. It was led by Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, who was commanding the army. After the president was assassinated, Siad Barre and Salaad Gabeyre Kediye created the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC). This organization assumed power in the country. The SRC named the country the Somali Democratic Republic. In 1976, the SRC disbanded itself and created the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), which was essentially communist. By now, Siad Barre was president. He was a very corrupt ruler, and he violated many people's human rights during his time as president. After years of rebellion and violence, Barre’s government finally collapsed in 1991. Anarchy started to break out in the country, with various clans taking control of different regions. By this point, some organizations were starting to be made that aimed to bring peace and stability to Somalia. One effort by the U.N. to help Somalia with its famine was successful for a short time. However, they had to withdraw because too many of their people were being killed. A temporary government was made in 2000, however it has done very little to make things better.Ever since the first military uprising, Somalia has been a very poor and violent country.
A photo of Mohamed Siad Barre. Siad Barre was
President and military dictator of Somalia,
and is one of the most important people
in the countries history.
President and military dictator of Somalia,
and is one of the most important people
in the countries history.