Siad Barre, Mohamed (1921–1995)

Somalian soldier and politician, president of Somalia 1969–91. Seizing power in a bloodless coup, with promises to solve clan rivalries and regenerate his country through a policy of ‘scientific socialism’, he exploited those rivalries to promote his own regime and presided over a socialist government that degenerated into an autocracy based on a ruthless personality cult.

Born in the Ogaden region, a member of the Marehan clan, Siad Barre, despite only a rudimentary education, rose from the rank of ordinary police officer in Italian-controlled Somalia to become brigadier general of police when his country achieved independence in 1960, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces five years later. When the Somalian president died in 1969, Siad Barre, with 20 fellow army officers and five police officers, seized power, suspended the constitution, and began to rule by decree. His repressive regime became increasingly discredited and in January 1991 his opponents forced him out of office.

He left the capital, Mogadishu, to return to his own clan area, from where he hoped to rally support and return to power. In April 1992 he went into exile in Kenya, where he became a source of embarrassment to the government of President Moi, who eventually persuaded him to accept the protection of Nigeria, where he died.