Here's a story of how Communism/Socialism destroyed Somalia.

A country blessed with a tropical weather, an endless coastline and a proud enterprising people.

It should have been a success story.

[Kindly RT and share widely]

Somalia gained independence in 1960.

Between 1960-1969 the country had a democratic government that was constitutionally limited and committed to liberty and the freedoms of enterprise.

The young country flourished and cultivated relations with the international community.

Prime Minister Shermarke sought an alliance with the United States. President Kennedy committed to a joint Somali-American cooperation agreement welcoming Somalia as a strategic ally.

President Johnson sadly did not ratify the agreement after Kennedy's assassination.

President Shermarke like JFK was assassinated in 1969.

The army staged a coup, Colonel Siad Barre declared himself President.

Tensions were high between Somalia and Ethiopia over a disputed colonial border.

The Soviet Union stepped in offering military and logistical support.

Colonel Barre announced the country will adopt Scientific Socialism as new mode of governance.

Industries were nationalised overnight and an alliance officially formed with the Soviet Union.

Moscow sent thousands of experts to help Siad Barre manage the affairs of the country.

The nation was transformed from a proud democratic country into a banana republic.

Tensions came to a head in 1977 when Somalia-Ethiopia went to war. Moscow chose to side with Ethiopia, which also had a communist government.

Somalia was stuck with Communism and no USSR support.

Central to the ideology of Col. Barre was ‘Hantiwadaag’ meaning: 'All output is shared'

Throughout the 80s the enterprising spirit of the Somali people was squashed, the government owned or managed all businesses.

This led to small rebellions breaking out all over the country.

To maintain its rule, the government used its KGB trained intelligence services/military to crush dissent, in many instances committing war crimes.

Civilians were not spared, freedoms of religion and speech were abolished.

Somalis couldn't leave the country without permission.

A civil war broke out in 1991 as rebels finally overthrew the oppressive communist government of 21 years.

Sadly, civil society was destroyed by the government to the extent that it was not possible to salvage the nation as it once was.

Those who had the means fled the country.

The country fell into a chaos and was on the verge of widespread famine, with various militias fighting in civilian centers.

The United States tried to assist the humanitarian effort and was drawn into the armed conflict.

The US withdrew in 1993 to avoid further entanglement.

For the past 30 years Somalia struggled with recovery from the damage of Communism. The old country is in the process of a slow rehabilitation with a long ways to go yet.

...And that’s the story of how communism screwed us over.

Fin/

[Current Somali President & US Ambassador]