Somalia’s Socialist Revolution

The 54th Anniversary of Somalia’s Socialist Revolution celebrates a moment of pride for many Somalis, yet despite a promising start, it would end in a bloody civil war. We take a look back at the history and some of the achievements of the revolution.

Known by Somalis as ‘the golden era’, Siad Barre’s socialist administration was famous for introduction of a written Somali language still used today in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia, the award-winning literacy campaigns, healthcare improvements, universal education and better infrastructure. His government also dealt with a drought and prevented a famine. Somalia was geopolitically active as well, a staunch adherent of Pan-African principles. It famously lobbied at the UN for an arms embargo on Portugal until its African colonies were free.