Somali African National Union
Encyclopedia
Somali African National Union (SANU) was an early political party in Somalia
. It represented the coastal Banadir region.
(the nation's first political party), as well as the Somali National Congress, Marehan Union Party, Somali Democratic Union, Somali Constitutional Party and the United Somali Party.
The SNU and other parties competed for 123 parliament seats. The following two Somali parliamentary elections occurred in 1964 and in 1968.
was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards. Observers suggested that the assassination was inspired by personal rather than political motives. Shermarke's murder was quickly followed by a military coup d'état
on October 21, 1969 (the day after his funeral), in which the Somali Army
seized power without encountering armed opposition — essentially a bloodless takeover. The putsch was spearheaded by Major General Muhammad Siad Barre, who at the time commanded the army.
Barre was installed as president of the Supreme Revolutionary Council
(SRC), the new government of Somalia. Alongside him, the SRC was led by Major General Salaad Gabeyre Kediye
and Chief of Police Jama Korshel
. The SRC subsequently renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic
, arrested members of the former government, banned political parties, dissolved the parliament and the Supreme Court, and suspended the constitution.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. It represented the coastal Banadir region.
Parliamentary elections
Dozens of political parties participated in the Somali elections that took place before independence in 1956. The Somali African National Union (SANU) was one of the nascent political groups that participated in all the elections. Other major parties that SANU competed against included the Somali Youth LeagueSomali Youth League
The Somali Youth League was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.-History:...
(the nation's first political party), as well as the Somali National Congress, Marehan Union Party, Somali Democratic Union, Somali Constitutional Party and the United Somali Party.
The SNU and other parties competed for 123 parliament seats. The following two Somali parliamentary elections occurred in 1964 and in 1968.
Supreme Revolutionary Council
On October 15, 1969, while paying an official visit to the northern town of Las Anod, then President of Somalia Abdirashid Ali ShermarkeAbdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President of Somalia from June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969...
was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards. Observers suggested that the assassination was inspired by personal rather than political motives. Shermarke's murder was quickly followed by a military coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
on October 21, 1969 (the day after his funeral), in which the Somali Army
Military of Somalia
The Military of Somalia was, up until 1991, made up of the army, navy, air force, and air defense command. The outbreak of the Somali Civil War during that year led to the de facto dissolution of the national armed forces. However, efforts to re-establish a regular armed force by a re-constituted...
seized power without encountering armed opposition — essentially a bloodless takeover. The putsch was spearheaded by Major General Muhammad Siad Barre, who at the time commanded the army.
Barre was installed as president of the Supreme Revolutionary Council
Supreme Revolutionary Council (Somalia)
The Supreme Revolutionary Council was the governmental body that ruled Somalia for most of the period from 1969-1991.-History:On October 15, 1969, while paying a visit to the northern town of Las Anod, Somalia's then President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards...
(SRC), the new government of Somalia. Alongside him, the SRC was led by Major General Salaad Gabeyre Kediye
Salaad Gabeyre Kediye
Salaad Gabeyre Kediye , was a Major General in the Somali military and a revolutionary.-Biography:Major General Salaad Gabeyre Kediye was born in September, 15 1934, in the town of Harardhere, situated in the Central Mudug region of Somalia, to an Abgaal family Hawiye clan...
and Chief of Police Jama Korshel
Jama Korshel
Jama Korshel was a Somali army Major General, former Head of the Somali Police Force, and one of the leaders of Somalia's 1969 coup d'état.-Biography:Korshel was born in the town of Ceerigaabo situated in the northern Sanaag region of Somalia....
. The SRC subsequently renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic
Somali Democratic Republic
The Somali Democratic Republic was the name that the communist regime of former President of Somalia Major General Mohamed Siad Barre gave to Somalia after seizing power during a bloodless coup d'état in 1969...
, arrested members of the former government, banned political parties, dissolved the parliament and the Supreme Court, and suspended the constitution.
See also
- Somali Youth LeagueSomali Youth LeagueThe Somali Youth League was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.-History:...
- Marehan Union Party
- List of political parties in Somalia