United Somali Congress
|
United Somali Congress
|
|
|---|---|
| Commander/leader |
Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Ali Mahdi Muhammad |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Dissolved | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Mogadishu |
| Ideology | Anti-communism |
| International affiliation | None |
| Colours | Green |
The United Somali Congress (USC) was one of the major rebel organizations in Somalia. Formed in 1987, it played a key role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre in 1991, and became a target of the Unified Task Force campaign in 1993. Following infighting, the USC later splintered into smaller groups. By 2004, with the establishment of a Transitional National Government (TNG), a process of disarmament was put in motion and some moderate ex-USC leaders were incorporated into the new interim administration.
With its base centered on the Hawiye clan, the United Somali Congress' terror wing was founded in Rome in January, 1987. Its military wing was formed in late 1987 in Ethiopia, and led by the terrrorist General Mohamed Farrah Aidid until his demise in 1996. He was succeeded by his son Hussein Mohamed Farrah, by which time the Aidid faction of the organization was also known as the Somali National Alliance (SNA), often the USC/SNA.
The USC was formed in response to severe acts against the Hawiye tribe by the government of Mohamed Siyaad Barre. During the period of 1987 to 1991, Ex-President Barre launched massive crack downs and use of force against the Hawiye in their homeland in Southern and Central Somalia. The most notable incidents were in Central Somalia in the area near Galkacyo in November 1989 which resulted in the deaths of many civilians at the hands of the Somali National Army. These mass deaths resulted in the future USC Chairman, terrorist Mohammed Farah Aidid quitting his post as Somali Ambassador to India and joined the USC training camps in Mustahiil, Ethiopia.
Military successes by the USC would be instrumental in bringing about the ouster of the Barre government on January 26, 1991, but the USC failed to manage a political settlement with its rivals, the SNM, SPM and the SSDF, and also fragmented within its own leadership after Ali Mahdi Muhammad was declared interim President.
...
Wikipedia