General information
First Active Year: 1982
Current Name: SSDF
Current Name full English: Somali Salvation Democratic Front
Current Name full native language: Somali Salvation Democratic Front
Original Name: SSDF
Original Name full English: Somali Salvation Democratic Front
Original Name full native language: Somali Salvation Democratic Front
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1982
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Somalia - SSDF
1983
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Somalia - SSDF
1984
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Somalia - SSDF
1992
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
AIAI - SSDF
1993
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
SSDF - USC/SNA
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1982 Group Archive
Government of Somalia - SSDF
Comment on Name: SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front). Africa Contemporary Record also refers to the group as SDSF (Somalia Democratic Salvation Front) and DFSS (Democratic Front for the Salvation of Somalia).
Comment on Active: At a conference 19 September - 5 October 1981 three parties, SSF (the Somali Salvation Front), SWP (Somali Workers Party) and DFLS (the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Somalia) joined together to form SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front). The new unified party promised to intensify the military and political struggles against President Siad Barre. Other stated goals were to form a democratic government, conduct a non-aligned foreign policy and hold peace negotiations with Ethiopia. These goals were stated with a Marxist rhetoric.
Further attempts to unify the opposition were made during the spring in 1982. SSDF and SNM (Somali National Movement) held meetings from 29 March to 8 April 1982 discussing a possible unification of the two groups. Initially, an agreement was reached in principle to conduct a joint armed struggle against the government in Somalia. Another important aim of the agreement was to unify the Somali people under one single opposition organisation. However, even though the two groups broadcasted joint radio shows from Radio Halgan (struggle) (former Radio Kulmis), they were in the end not able to agree on a common program. The military cooperation was limited and while SSDF conducted most of its attacks from Ethiopia into central Somalia, SNM was mostly active in northern parts of the country.
Troop Size: < 5000
Comment on Troop Size: According to Africa Confidential’s estimates, SSDF did not number more than 5000 troops.
Secondary Support: SSDFs headquarters were located in Ethiopia and it was also from there the group broadcasted its radio programs with anti-Barre messages. The Somali government repeatedly blamed Ethiopia for the attacks on Somalia, especially during July 1982. The Ethiopian government, however, denied any involvement and SSDF claimed that they were fully responsible for the attacks. Most neutral observers argued that the Ethiopian army was in fact involved to a large extent. Due to lack of reliable information and Ethiopias denial, however, it is not possible to code Ethiopia as a secondary warring party, but only as giving secondary support. Libya gave financial support to SSDF, although it is unclear how extensive this support was.
1983 Group Archive
Government of Somalia - SSDF
Comment on Name: SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front). Africa Contemporary Record also refers to the group as SDSF (Somalia Democratic Salvation Front) and DFSS (Democratic Front for the Salvation of Somalia).
Comment on Active: Despite problems with agreeing on a joint political program in 1982, SSDF and SNM conducted at least one joint military operation against the Somali government forces.
During 1983, tensions within SSDF escalated with members from the former groups SWP (the Somali Workers’ Party) and DFLS (the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Somalia) (which had merged with SSDF in 1981) demanding accountability from the leader, Col Abdullahi Yusuf. They also wanted a more radical Marxist policy. The tensions resulted in victory for Yusuf and his supporters, with members from the other two groups removed from all executive posts. This in turn led to extensive resignations and defections from SSDF, some of which returned later in the year, however, the divisions were only further strengthened.
Secondary Support: SSDFs headquarters were located in Ethiopia and it was also from there the group broadcasted its radio programs with anti-Barre messages. The Somali government repeatedly blamed Ethiopia for occupying Somali territory until July 1983 (mainly the two towns of Balamabal and Galdogob). The Ethiopian government, however, denied any involvement and SSDF claimed that they were fully responsible for the seizure of the border territory. Most neutral observers argued that the Ethiopian army was in fact involved to a large extent. Due to lack of reliable information and Ethiopias denial, however, it is not possible to code Ethiopia as a secondary warring party, but only as giving secondary support. Despite problems with agreeing on a joint political program in 1982, SSDF and SNM conducted at least one joint military operation against the Somali government forces.
1984 Group Archive
Government of Somalia - SSDF
Comment on Name: SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front). Africa Contemporary Record also refers to the group as SDSF (Somalia Democratic Salvation Front) and DFSS (Democratic Front for the Salvation of Somalia).
Comment on Active: The tensions within SSDF continued and resulted in serious internal fighting in May 1984.
Despite disagreement regarding the political programme, SSDF and SNM decided in 1984 to unite and started to refer to themselves as “wings” of the Somali opposition forces. However, it is not clear to which extent the groups cooperated in their military operations.
Troop Size: 850
Secondary Support: SSDFs headquarters were located in Ethiopia and it was also from there the group broadcasted its radio programs with anti-Barre messages. The Somali government repeatedly blamed Ethiopia for attacks inside Somalia. The Ethiopian government, however, denied any involvement and SSDF often claimed that it was they who were responsible for the attacks. However, it is widely reported that Ethiopia in fact conducted attacks and gave military support to both SSDF and SNM. Due to lack of reliable information and Ethiopias denial, however, it is not possible to code Ethiopia as a secondary warring party, but only as giving secondary support. There are also lack of information on what type of, and to what extent, military support was given. Therefore, only sanctuary is listed as secondary support.
