United Somali Congress

The United Somali Congress (USC) is one of the major political and paramilitary organizations of Somalia. Formed in 1988, it played a key role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre, and became a major target of the so-called Operation Restore Hope campaign in 1993. It had devolved through numerous fragmentations throughout the years, but by 2004, its members and alumni would be key participants in the Transitional Federal Government.

History

With its base centered on the Hawiye clan, the United Somali Congress' political wing was founded in Rome in January, 1988. Its military wing was formed in late 1988 in Ethiopia, and led by General Mohamed Farrah Aidid until his death in 1996. He was succeeded by his son Hussein Mohamed Farrah, by which time the Aidid faction of the organization was also known as the Somali National Alliance (SNA), often the USC/SNA.

The USC was formed in response to brutal aggression against the Hawiye tribe by the military dictatorship of Mohamed Siyaad Barre. During the period of 1988 to 1991, Ex-President Barre launched massive crack downs and carnage against the Hawiye in their homeland in Southern and Central Somalia. The most notable incidents were in Central Somalia in the area near Galkacyo in November 1989 which resulted in the deaths of many innocent civilians at the hands of the Somali National Army. These massacres were deeply shocking and resulted in the future USC Chairman, General Mohammed...
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