Moscow International Service (in Somali) 1600 GMT — [From the “East Africa Last Week” program]

Several important events took place in Somalia last week. Last Sunday, 15 July the regional security court released for lack of sufficient evidence people charged with disseminating the first Mogadishu manifesto. Prominent politicians in the country had accused the government of corruption and inability to end the civil war in the country. The manifesto, with 100 signatures, had called on the government to resign. The arrest of the 45 people last month had angered the masses.

The heightened tension was symbolized by the disaster at the Mogadishu stadium, where President Barre was booed and made the target of stone throwing resulting in the intervention of the Presidential Guard. In the ensuing chaos 60 people were killed and 200 wounded.

Subsequently, a decision by the president and the government was announced to the effect that in October 1990 a referendum would be held on the amendments applied to the constitution to be followed in February 1991 by elections to be contested by various parties. However, no new parties have been formed in the country so far.

 _{FBIS-SOV-90-143, 25 July 1990, p. 23}