Africa Research Bulletin Sept 15 1990 Vol 27 No 8, pg. 9804 — “Rebels Unite”

Three guerrilla groups have agreed to join forces to overthrow President Siad Barre. A spokesman for the Somali National Movement (SNM) whose forces operate in northern Somalia, told Reuter on August 7th that the three rebel groups had reached agreement on a joint command structure to coordinate guerrilla operations against the government.

He said the other two movements involved in the pact, agreed at a secret meeting on August 6th were the United Somali Congress and the Somali Patriotic Movement which are fighting government forces in the centre and south of the country respectively.

Opposition forces in the country have been fighting since May 1988 to oust Mr. Barre, who came to power in a 1969 coup. It is estimated that between 50,000 and 60,000 people have died and more than 400,000 refugees have fled the civil war.

The spokesman said efforts were under way to bring in other opposition groups in the country.

He also rejected a recent Italian-Egyptian initiative to bring government and guerrilla groups to the peace table, saying the move was intended to ensure President Barre’s survival.

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