General Secretary | Siad Barre |
---|---|
Founded | 1976 |
Dissolved | 1991 |
Headquarters | Mogadishu |
Membership (1990) | 20,000 |
Ideology | Pan-Somalism Islamic socialism |
Colours | Red, blue |
The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (Somali: Xisbiga Hantiwadaagga Kacaanka Soomaaliyeed, XHKS; Arabic: الحزب الاشتراكي الثوري الصومالي, Al-Hizb Al-Ishtiraki At-Thawri As-Sumal) was the ruling party of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1976 to 1991.
SRSP 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 SRSP party school. After the break with the socialist states, a group including SRSP 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.