Siad Barre
From Wikiquote
Mohamed Siad Barre (6 October 1919 – 2 January 1995) was the president of Somalia from 1969 - 1991.
Sourced [edit]
- In our Revolution we believe that we have broken the chain of a consumer economy based on imports, and we are free to decide our destiny. And in order to realize the interests of the Somali people, their achievement of a better life, the full development of their potentialities and the fulfillment of their aspirations, we solemnly declare Somalia to be a Socialist State.
- Siad Barre proclaims Somalia a socialist state, October 20, 1970.[1]
- When I came to Mogadishu...[t]here was one road built by the Italians. If you try to force me to stand down, I will leave the city as I found it. I came to power with a gun; only the gun can make me go.
- Abdullahi, Mohamed Diriye (2001), Culture and customs of Somalia, p. 41
- Some of the colonizers do understand and quickly retreat, while some, because they are stupid, continue colonizing others, increasing the suffering, deaths, injuries, defeat and humiliation. The people colonized by Abyssinia will be free. Eritrea will be free, and they cannot refuse to let them be free. Western Somalia will be free, and they cannot refuse to grant it freedom. The numerous Abo will be free because this is history, and no one can prevent the sunshine from reaching us.
- Mogadiscio Domestic Service in Somali, 0448 GMT 1 May 1978.[2]
- I did not come to power to divide Somali but to unite them, and I will never deviate from this path. I shall respect a Somali individual as long as he deserves respect, but if he turns away from the correct path, then that is not my business."
- Mogadiscio Domestic Service in Somali, 0448 GMT 1 May 1978.[3]
- We should teach the foreigners and colonialists that Somalia cannot be led by other people and that the traitors who fled the country will never lead Somalia.
- Mogadiscio Domestic Service in Somali, 0448 GMT 1 May 1978.[4]
- You mean relations between Somalia and the other Arab countries? To use the term Arab-Somali relations is to exclude Somalia from the Arab homeland. Relations between Somalia and the other Arab countries are good but could be better.
- When I leave Somalia I will leave buildings but not people.
- Last words, during the power.[5]
Quotes about Siad Barre [edit]
- After my talk with Siad Barre, I told Mengistu about Barre's attitude, and asked him to remain calm. I already felt bad about having invited Mengistu to Aden while there was still a powder keg situation back in his country and that in such a tense situation he was to hear out the Somalis' territorial demands. With regards to my question about the situation of the Ethiopian army, Mengistu said that there were still difficulties but that he didn't think that there was an acute danger of a coup. When the meeting started, Siad Barre immediately began speaking. Siad Barre is a general who was educated under colonialism. The revolution in Somalia is led by generals who all became powerful under colonial times. I have made up my mind about Siad Barre, he is above all a chauvinist.
- Fidel Castro, discussion with East German leader Erich Honecker, Russian & East German Documents on Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, 1977-78.
