According to Somalia: A Country Study, the Siad Barre military regime concentrated administrative, legislative and judicial duties in the hands of military officers immediately after the 1969 take-over (1982, 263). The military presence was further reinforced when military officers were placed as heads of district and provincial offices and Somali missions abroad (Ibid., 240). According to the source, since 1981 "high-ranking military officers have occupied important positions within the government structure" (Ibid., 241).

A representative of the Catholic Immigration Centre (CIC) in Ottawa corroborated the above information, as did representatives from Africa Watch and the Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) (7 Sept. 1993; 8 Sept. 1993).

For additional corroboration, please refer to the attachments from Africa Contemporary Record, which indicate that military officers were appointed to head some government ministries. The publication reports that the practice of placing military personnel in government or civilian organizations and agencies was common before the overthrow of the Siad Barre regime.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services Organization, Ottawa. 8 September 1993. Telephone interview with representative.

Catholic Immigration Centre, Ottawa. 7 September 1993. Telephone interview with representative.

Africa Watch, Washington, DC. 7 September 1993. Telephone interview with representative.

Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1982-1983. 1984. Edited by Colin Legum. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1981-1982. 1983. Edited by Colin Legum. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1980-1981. 1982. Edited by Colin Legum. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1982-1983. 1984. Edited by Colin Legum. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1981-1982. 1983. Edited by Colin Legum. New York: Africana Publishing Company.

Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents 1980-1981. 1982. Edited by Colin Legum. New York: Africana Publishing Company.