United Somali Congress

The United Somali Congress (English United Somali Congress, Italian Congresso della Unita Somalia; abbreviated USC) was founded in 1989 by representatives of the Somali clans of the Hawiye in Rome, after they had turned away from the Somali National Movement.

Its chairman was Ali Mahdi Mohammed, Mohammed Farah Aidid was a military leader. Another member was Musa Sudi Yalahow. The aim of the USC was the fight against the authoritarian government of Somalia under Siad Barre, of which many Hawiye felt suppressed.

The fall Barres by the USC and the subsequent cleavage of the USC were important for the development of the Somali Civil War.

History

As of 1989, the United Somali Congress led a rebellion against the government. Of the various operating against the Barre government movements (next to USC and SNM, SSDF and SPM) he was a particularly significant, as he was active in the vicinity of the capital Mogadishu and these circled. This resulted in Barre on January 26, 1991 left Mogadishu.

The USC and other rebel movements had agreed in advance on forming a joint follow- government. This failed, however, as the USC victory over Barre and thus the bulk of the power itself claimed. The other opposition groups recognized the provisional government formed by the USC not to.

Inside the USC came the break, as the chairman Ali Mahdi Mohammed ( Habar Gidir - Hawiye ) cried ( from the sub- clan of the Hawiye - Abgal ) without the consent of the military leader Aidid president. As a result, it was especially heavy fighting in Mogadishu between the two leaders and their clans. Aidid formed from his wing of the USC, the Somali National Alliance, along with other warring parties who joined him.