|
Somalia Politics of Disintegration
Mogadishu could not deal effectively with the political
challenge in the north because the interim government of
President Mahamaad gradually lost control of central authority.
Even though the interim government was dominated by the USC, this
guerrilla force failed to adapt to its new position as a
political party. Although the USC was primarily a Hawiye militia,
it was internally divided between the two principal Hawiye clans,
the Abgaal and Habar Gidir. Once in power, the clans began to
argue over the distribution of political offices. Interim
president Mahammad emerged as the most prominent Abgaal leader
whereas Aidid emerged as the most influential Habar Gidir leader.
Fighters loyal to each man clashed in the streets of Mogadishu
during the summer of 1991, then engaged in open battle beginning
in September. By the end of the year, the fighting had resulted
in divided control of the capital. Aidid's guerrillas held
southern Mogadishu, which included the port area and the
international airport, and Mahammad's forces controlled the area
around the presidential palace in central Mogadishu and the
northern suburbs.
A United Nations-mediated cease-fire agreement that came into
effect in March 1992 helped to reduce the level of fighting, but
did not end all the violence. Neither Mahammad nor Aidid was
prepared to compromise over political differences, and,
consequently, Mogadishu remained divided. Aidid's faction of the
USC comprised an estimated 10,000 guerrillas. Many of these men
looted food supplies destined for famine victims and interfered
with the operations of the international relief agencies. They
justified their actions on the grounds that the assistance would
help their enemies, the USC faction loyal to Mahammad. The proMahammad forces included an estimated 5,000 fighters. They also
used food as a weapon.
|
