Revolution In Somalia

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32126, 23 October 1969, Page 15

Revolution In Somalia

. (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) MOGADISHU (Somalia), October 22. Troops in combat uniforms patrolled the streets of Mogadishu overnight after an Army-backed police coup toppled the Government led by Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Egal.

The coup came less than 24 hours after the funeral of President Abdirashid All Shermarke, 'who was shot dead by a police guard during Dr Shermarke’s tour of the drought-stricken NorthEast Somalia last, Wednesday. The commander of the Somali Republic Army’s northern region (Colonel Mohammed Ali Mire), in a

broadcast over Radio Hargesia yesterday, quoted the commander-in-chief (General Mohamed Riyad) as announcing the take-over. The coup put a revolutionary council in power to rule by decree; and within hours, the council issued a communique pledging a policy of neutrality and non-alignment. Members of the deposed government were in custody today. Radio Mogadishu said that the Revolutionary Council. which had arranged the coup “to save the country from corrupt malpractices,” had decided to put them on trial.

The Revolutionary Council has imposed a 12-hour definite curfew beginning at 4 p.m. and has banned public gatherings of three people or more.

Soon after the news of the early-morning coup, thousands of people carrying flowers and placards marched through the streets of Mogadishu, shouting: “Long live the revolution, long live the armed forces.” A spokesman for the new council said that it would cany on with the proposed commission of inquiry into the President's assassination. He added that its members shared with the Somali people sadness over his death.