London BBC World Service “Focus on Africa” program (in English) — 1705 GMT

Ever since the fall of Somali President Siad Barre’s government at the beginning of last year and the subsequent descent of that country into fratricidal conflict, virtually nothing has been heard from Siad Barre himself. He took flight in January last year, leaving the capital, Mogadishu, to the USC (United Somali Congress) rebels. Since then, reports from refugees fleeing fighting in the southwest of Somalia suggest he regrouped his supporters in that region and in recent months has made some military advances. Now, a British film crew has tracked him down west of Mogadishu, and Akwe Amosu has been listening to what he told them:

[Begin recording]

[Amosu] The film crew tracked Siad Barre down in a ramshackle hotel in the town of Baidoa from where he commands his army. Fighting between his men and local clans has forced hundreds of thousands of Somalis to flee westward across the border into Ethiopia where the drought and lack of assistance is causing thousands of them to die each day. Barre agreed to talk to the film crew, the first time his voice has been broadcast since the fall of his administration. The interview ranged over his military strength, his plans for the future, and his attitude to Somali’s other military groups. But they asked him first whether he still saw himself as the rightful president of the country.

[Siad] Yes, I believe, in accordance to international law and any law. I have been elected by the people, and therefore, I believe – not because I believe – I am the president of Somali Democratic Republic up till now.

[Amosu] So does he think he has any chance of winning power again?

[Siad] I plan to return to Mogadishu in order to bring back peace, security, and justice among the people.

[Amosu] The crew put it to Barre that many Somalis believe he is the root of the country’s problems and that Somalia would be better off without him.

[Siad] I believe that I have not done anything to my people. I believe I have served loyally and fruitfully my country. That is why I should live in (it) and I do not see why I should run away because I am not a criminal. He who is criminal or has killed people could run away, but not me.

[Amosu] So, in that case, he would not agree to leave the country and let others resolve the crisis.

[Siad] Never! Never! And I will never go elsewhere.

[Amosu] But what about his military capability? Could he fight his way back to Mogadishu?

[Siad] Well, my force has taken many areas and still they are moving forward. And their aim is only to reestablish security, law, and order in the country and preserve the Somali society-those who still remain alive.

[Amosu] As for the number of men under his command, he was less than forthcoming.

[Siad] Well, they are many. They are a big number that is rich.

[Amosu] In July 1981, in the wake of Barre’s flight six months earlier, several of Somalia’s rebel groups met in neighboring Djibouti to try and hammer out an agreement for the future. They included rebel leaders and representatives of the manifesto group of politicians. They agreed that Somalia should remain as a unitary state and to the formation of an interim government led by the USC’s Ali Mahdi. Despite the subsequent crisis in Mogadishu with the USC splitting into two opposing factions, the Djibouti accord is still cited by the signatories as the basis for a future government. But Barre is in to set his face against the Djibouti accord.

[Siad] Well, I believe this was wrong. Nothing has come out of it. What has come out of it? Why were the decisions not implemented? Simply because those who attended that conference were wrong. They were among others, those who were ruling the country, [words indistinct] the Somali Democratic Republic, and therefore their decision or their calculations come back to 25 years ago.

[Amosu] And, finally, what did he think of the northern SNM [Somali National Movement) to secede and declare the Independent Republic of Somaliland?

[Siad] It is illegal and ridiculous.

[End recording]

_{FBIS-AFR-92-076, 20 Apr. 1992, p. 8}