Radio Kulmis (in Somali) to Somalia 1800 GMT

Dear listeners, we congratulate the Somali masses on the end of the second year since the formation of the Somali Salvation Front (SSF) when the Somali people resolved to liberate the masses from hardship and shame imposed on them by the terrorist gang of the hyena of Garba Barre. Here with we tonight is Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad, acting SSF chairman, whom I am going to question on issues about which many Somalis may be asking themselves and from whom many would like to hear some brief replies. These questions are:

1. What brought about the formation of the SSF?
2. What are the aims of the SSF’s struggle and what does it hope to achieve for the Somali people?
3. What successes has the SSF so far achieved on the battlefield against the terrorist gang?
4. What does the SSF hope to achieve during the new year we have just begun?

Those are the four questions I should like to ask Col Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad. Colonel:

[Colonel Yusuf begins speaking]

Thank you, Sulayman. Before I reply, I wish to greet the entire Somali masses, particularly those liberators who have been struggling since the inception of the SSF, on this second anniversary of the formation of the SSF and the start of the third year of our existence. I also wish to tell the Somali masses that, God willing, by the time we celebrate our third anniversary the misery we are experiencing now will be a thing of the past. That is because, if we consider the state of the struggle, we can say it is excellent to the extent that, God willing, we shall win before the year is out.

Last night I was listening to Siad deceiving himself that he can stay in power. He was talking about what he described as the revival of the revolution, something I can only term as an attempt to survive, because bringing back the army to exercise direct rule can be nothing but such an attempt. You all know what compelled him to take this step: success of the SSF’s struggle and the Somali masses being in sight of victory. The The victory the Somali masses can see ahead of them certainly represents a tragic blow for Siad Barre’s terrorist gang regime.

Going back to your questions, Sulayman. The first one was what brought about the formation of the SSF? That is a question every member of the Somali masses is pondering. The answer is very simple. For more than 11 years the Somali masses have been in a disastrous state, ruled by a dictatorship with the evil fascist blood-sucker’s heel on their necks, a regime which has ruined their lives, property, dignity and nationhood. He has subjected them to suffering and shame unparalleled even during the colonial era.

The armed forces, supported by the masses, made several attempts to stage a revolution to save the Somali people from these hardships. Unfortunately, all these attempts failed. Then, when it became apparent that the dictatorship would not change its ugly policy and that the Somali people would not continue to tolerate its rule, the Somali intellectuals, soldiers and masses had to convene a general meeting. They discussed the country’s unsatisfactory state and accordingly resolved to wage an armed struggle to rid Somalia of Siad Barre’s ugly fascist regime, which ruined the Somali people at gunpoint.

An organization with a military wing, the SSF–which many Somalis call Kulmis–was thereupon formed. When the Somali people’s freedom and dignity have been restored, they will be able to decide their own future and lead a progressive and prosperous life under a democratically elected leadership.

As to your second question, Sulayman. I think the reply to your first question adequately covers it.

Now to your third question, on the successes achieved by the SSF. There are too many of these for me to cover all of them during this brief interview. I shall, however, mention just a few, which I am sure the Somali people are already aware of.

The Somali people are now totally opposed to the Siad regime, while the SSF enjoys inter-national recognition and support. In the military field, SSF soldiers have been properly trained and armed. In their engagements they have inflicted heavy human and material losses on the Siad troops.

As to your last question, on what the SSF hopes to achieve during the third year since its formation, this is, I think, a very important question which requires a detailed answer, but it is also a rather difficult one because I do not want to disclose any plans which the enemy might take advantage of. I will, however, briefly say that the SSF intends to intensify its struggle in all fields and during this year it aims to liberate the Somali people from Siad Barre and his terrorists who have [words indistinct].

[Question] As you know, Colonel Abdullahi, Radio Mogadishu last night broadcast terrorist Siad’s address closing a short seminar at the police academy for members of the armed forces whom he appointed commissioners to our country’s districts and regions. In the address, he told them to keep directly in touch with him and inform him about political matters in their respective districts and regions, to fight what he called counter-revolutionaries, and to adopt strict measures in the country’s defense and security to suppress opponents of his regime. He also referred to their duty to promote economic development, social welfare and recreational activities. As chairman of the SSF, Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf, how do you interpret all this?

[Answer] Thank you, Sulayman. In fact I heard Muhammad Siad Barre’s address to those who were appointed leaders in the districts and regions and who are actually armed forces officers. First of all, Siad Barre’s address, his appointees and everything he calls the revival, amount to nothing but a manifestation of his fears. I do not expect him to achieve anything but failure.

The salient points of his address included, as you have just said, orders to keep directly in touch with him by way of regular monthly reports. [words indistinct Don’t we all know Siad Barre? What progress? What development? The people have nothing to eat; they are being buried by the hundreds. Even in the capital, Mogadishu, the people have nothing to eat. In the black market, a kilogram of sugar costs–when it is available–more than 200 shillings. Macaroni and rice–the staple foods–are not to be found. Siad Barre has fed to the armed forces the livestock or whose meat and milk the Somali people used to subsist. He has rounded up all the people in camps and labelled them refugees. He intends to finish them off in those camps.

There is nothing for you (the district and regional commissioners) to report on, Do not obey his orders. As soon as each of you is paid your salary, join the Somalis who are struggling against Siad Barre. Join them in the armed struggle against the killer, who is inciting you against your people and thus acting to bring about your demise in disgrace.

_{FBIS-MEA-81-027, 10 Feb. 1981, pp. R4-R6}