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The breakout of violence in the capital of Somalia in 1991 lead to millions fleeing back to their clans ancestral home, including the original inhabitants of the North East (Mainly Darood;Harti)
Throughout Siad Barre’s 20 year brutal dictatorship the NE had suffered heavily from Government Negligence & State sponsored violence (Mudug&Nugal)
Industrial map of Somalia in the 80s during the Kacaan period outlining the severe lack of infrastructure and industry in the NE.
Industrial map of Somalia in the 80s during the Kacaan period outlining the severe lack of infrastructure and industry in the NE.
The large influx of people who fled from the south to either settle or go Yemen strained the forgotten region which had no law and order, the lack of security and growing threat of the USC ls what provocked the revival of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF)
The SSDF was the first rebel group to be formed during the 70s after numerous injustices were carried out on the Majeerteen, it weakened the oppressive regime.
However the 2nd phase of the SSDF included other darood clans who had a common goal in protecting land from the USC.
However the 2nd phase of the SSDF included other darood clans who had a common goal in protecting land from the USC.
Whilst the SSDF was organising a surprise attack on the city Galkayo occurred 2 weeks later.
This was devastating due to the nature of the assault; it took place at night & city was barely armed
550 civilians, the young and elderly were tragically killed as the USC took the city
This was devastating due to the nature of the assault; it took place at night & city was barely armed
550 civilians, the young and elderly were tragically killed as the USC took the city
The SSDF reorganised and established their base in burtinle, during this time the former chairman of the group Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf was released from prison by the Mengistu regime and resumed his position within the SSDF. 1/2
Few months later vicious fighting took place in Galkacyo which levelled the city.
the SSDF was successful in regaining their land, defeating the USC driving them all the way to the Galgaduug region.
the SSDF was successful in regaining their land, defeating the USC driving them all the way to the Galgaduug region.
An intense conference was held after in Garowe with representatives from every clan within the SSDF, it was agreed that they would establish local administrations to strengthen security and stability. Prominent SYL member & Former PM Abdirazak Haji Hussein was also in Attendance.
The Garowe meeting strengthened the security in the Northeast and created a minor form of Governance, however this changed in May 1992.
Islamist terrorist group Al-itihaad had gained control over the crucial bosaso port which was the sole source of income for the North East.
Islamist terrorist group Al-itihaad had gained control over the crucial bosaso port which was the sole source of income for the North East.
The SSDF reacted promptly by launching an offensive on the terrorist group across Bari & Nugal, One month of vicious fighting which killed hundreds took place with the SSDF coming out victorious and regaining control over the lifeline port.
The SSDF played a crucial role protecting and safe guarding their borders during the height of the civil war between 1991-93.
They engaged with the heavily armed USC on 12 different occasions as they desperately tried to take Galkacyo, SSDF successfully repelled their forces.
They engaged with the heavily armed USC on 12 different occasions as they desperately tried to take Galkacyo, SSDF successfully repelled their forces.
The SSDF setup frontlines beyond South Galkacyo which was fully under their control,
heres a video in the Galgaduud region showing the damage done from the heavy fighting between the SSDF & USC.
heres a video in the Galgaduud region showing the damage done from the heavy fighting between the SSDF & USC.
Mudug between 79-93 had yet to see peace with constant fighting which affected the livelihood and trade for the locals.
Abdullahi Yusuf decided to let the Habar Gidir back into Galkacyo after agreeing to a peace treaty which Aideed initiated 1/3
Abdullahi Yusuf decided to let the Habar Gidir back into Galkacyo after agreeing to a peace treaty which Aideed initiated 1/3
Many clauses and stipulations were added into the treaty in favour of the SSDF who was in control of the city, 3/4Districts were kept under the SSDF 2/3
Both Abdullahi Yusuf and Aideed were willing to broker much needed peace for the region however many within the SSDF were upset with the reconciliation causing internal issues between Abdullahi Yusuf & Mohmmed Abshir, nonetheless the central Somalia trade and open market resumed.
The SSDF and Traditional Elders were successful in reinstating security and governance in the NE quelling the threat of Al-itihaad & USC, this created a sense of peace while the south was still in turmoil, this prompted many minority clans and outsiders to settle in the region
Throughout the mid 90s
Abdullahi Yusuf was attending national peace conferences in return for UNOSOM support.
surprisingly up until this point the only source of income was Bosaso port yet regional admins in North Mudug, Nugal and bari were established with minimal support.
Abdullahi Yusuf was attending national peace conferences in return for UNOSOM support.
surprisingly up until this point the only source of income was Bosaso port yet regional admins in North Mudug, Nugal and bari were established with minimal support.
Since the overthrowing of the Kacaan 7 national reconciliation conferences took place between 91-97
The meetings failed to establish a government so desperately needed.
The NE who had already formed home-grown governance patience were running out, statehood was needed.
The meetings failed to establish a government so desperately needed.
The NE who had already formed home-grown governance patience were running out, statehood was needed.
What solidified the intent of forming a political state was Cairo 97 conference where extreme bias was shown to the hawiye clan, the diaspora along with many elders urged the SSDF to form a independent autonomous state, The stage was set for the people of Punt
Independent Statehood was mentioned during the first year of the war but in hopes for national reconciliation the people decided to wait for a government to form which did not happen, the NE historically was always self-governing with its numerous sultanates.
The name Puntland was first mentioned during Garowe’s “Nabad Iyo Nolol” conference in 1991, the name was befitting for the North East which showed strong evidence that the ancient “Land of Punt” empire was based in bari/sanaag region
The state originally only included Mudug, Nugal & Bari however invitations had been extended to other Harti’s and also the Marehan below mudug to observe the formation of the state.
Upon Observation the inhabitants of Sool and Sanaag showed desire to be included in the state despite initially agreeing to be apart of Somaliland who were stealing aid/fund meant for them.
The inclusion of the 2 SSC regions was rejected at first because of historical issues with the Dhulbahante & their role within Barre regime.
The IC would also pull funding if the regions Somaliland claimed were included
However Abdullahi Yusuf urged Elders to bring them along.
The IC would also pull funding if the regions Somaliland claimed were included
However Abdullahi Yusuf urged Elders to bring them along.
The Marehan in Cabduwaaq were invited to observe & be apart of the state but they declined for numerous reasons, one being that at the time SNF were fighting the Majeerteen community for control over Kismayo, previous grievance with the SSDF may have also influenced this decision
The Darood clans Leelkase, Awrtable and other harti such as dishishe were already included in the formation of the state, they are native to the 3 corridor regions (Mudug,Nugal,Bari).
Abdullahi Yusuf goal was to establish peace and rebuild Somalia, numerous times after the peace treaty he invited the habar gidir to join the rebuilding process of Mudug but they ignored as the USC continued to ransack Somalia, so only North Mudug was included.
The date was set, envoys had been sent to the Puntland regions, it was now time to organise the historic unification of the NE, the homegrown constitutional conference would take place in Garowe despite it being a new small city.
Preparations for Garowe was stressful and costly.
The lack of infrastructure & financial support not provided by the IC added immense pressure
Funding for the conference heavily relied on clans & SSDF with taxes on Bosaso port being raised.
overall the conference costed ÂŁ200,000.
The lack of infrastructure & financial support not provided by the IC added immense pressure
Funding for the conference heavily relied on clans & SSDF with taxes on Bosaso port being raised.
overall the conference costed ÂŁ200,000.
Many slogans were said frequently by influential figures to keep moral high during the financially hard period, the NE had to fund the conference as well as the militia defending private property in Kismayo.
The monumental conference took place on May 15th, this date holds significance to the NE because the Somali Youth League was established by the Majeerteen on this date.
Garowe received 512 delegates in which the Puntland charter, constitution and representation was established.
Garowe received 512 delegates in which the Puntland charter, constitution and representation was established.
Presidential elections then took place with voting done by a show of hands, The Founding father of Puntland & Federal Government of Somalia Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf won the election by a landslide.
Mohammed Hashi was voted in VP ending the conference on 22nd June 98.
Mohammed Hashi was voted in VP ending the conference on 22nd June 98.
The final brick had been laid and on August 1st 1998 Puntland officially announced Political statehood, a vision which first started under a tree has now come into fruition, Puntland is now the most successful state within Somalia which also established the FGS
The creation of the independent “A country within a country” Somali state could not have been possible without the sacrifices and efforts made by the people, SSDF mujahid/mujahidas & most importantly our isimo, AUN 
