From: hrcoord@igc.apc.org (Human Rights Coordinator)
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Subject: Re: News stories on African Famine
Date: 14 Sep 92 21:27:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #R:cdp:1476700469:cdp:1476700473:000:3345
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Sep 14 14:27:00 1992


/* Written  9:28 am  Sep 14, 1992 by jnr in cdp:hunger.general */
09/14 Countdown to arrival of U.N. troops in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Sept 14, Reuter - Chronology of events leading to the
arrival of United Nations troops in Somalia on Monday.   July 1,
1960 - Independence unites Somali territories ruled by Britain
and Italy since the late 19th century.   Oct 29, 1969 - Army
seizes power in a bloodless coup. Major-General Mohammed Siad
Barre takes control.   April, 1981 - Rebel Somali National
Movement (SNM) set up by Issak northern clan begins nine-year
guerrilla campaign.   

Thousands die as Siad Barre's rule becomes more brutal. By end of
decade Ogaden and Hawiye clans are also in rebellion. Siad Barre
is dubbed "Mayor of Mogadishu" because he controls so little of
the state. 

1991:   Jan 27 - Rebels invade Mogadishu and drive out Siad Barre
after fighting which kills many. Orgy of ethnic score-settling
and looting follows.   

Jan 29 - United Somali Congress (USC), led by Hawiye clan, names
Ali Mahdi Mohammed interim president in move bitterly opposed by
rival USC chief Mohammed Farah Aideed Rival. Clan fighting erupts
in all parts of country.   

May 15 - Clan factions start peace conference in Djibouti
brokered by Organisation of African Unity. Six groups announce a
truce. Northern SNM secedes and founds Somaliland.   

July 21 - Second round of Djibouti talks announces new truce and
interim government but several factions reject Ali Mahdi as
president again. Siad Barre fails in bloody offensive to
recapture Mogadishu.   

Sept 8 - Fighting between Ali Mahdi and Aideed clans ends after
three days in peace brokered by elders.   

Oct 4 - New Ali Mahdi government announced with more than 80
ministers. Swiftly rejected by Aideed and other clans.   

Nov 18 - Feuding erupts for third time between Ali Mahdi and
Aideed factions. Up to 30,000 killed or wounded in Mogadishu
street fighting in the following four months.  

1992:   Jan 20 - New Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
promises to end U.N.'s heavily-criticised delay and launches
massive humanitarian effort for Somalia.   

Feb 12 - Warlords agree to attend U.N.-brokered peace talks in
New York as fighting rages after Security Council slaps arms
embargo on Somalia.   

March 3 - Aideed and Ali Mahdi sign ceasefire but fail to agree
on how to monitor it. Banditry still rampant. U.N. sets up first
permanent office after 14 months' absence. Agencies warn that
famine is seriously advanced for 1.5 million people.   

July 5 - First unarmed U.N. military observers under Pakistani
Brigadier-General Imtiaz Shaheen arrive to monitor truce in
Mogadishu but weeks pass before they are deployed.   

Aug 6 - U.N. mission tours Somalia, the fifth since the
government collapsed in January 1991, to assess needs as relief
agencies voice outrage that famine is killing thousands. U.N.
takes up its recommendations to deploy up to 3,500 troops to
guard relief aid in Mogadishu, north and south of country.   

Aug 12 - Aideed agrees to deployment of 500 armed Pakistani
troops to protect relief operations. Huge U.S., French, German
and Belgian airlifts of food mounted. Politicians from United
States and European Community visit to see suffering in feeding
centres and refugee camps.   

Sept 14 - First 40 U.N. troops arrive in Mogadishu from Pakistan.