Somali KGB Agents: The Mitrokhin Archives

[merka]

The Mitrokhin Archives, revealed in 1992 by former KGB Agent Vasilli Mitrokhin (and later documented by British historian Christopher Andrew) show that a high ranking military officer and a graduate of the Frunze Military Academy was recruited and trained as an active KGB agent. This Agent was Codenamed “Operator”.

As documented by Mitrokhin and Andrews in 2005, the Archives show agent Operator is the late Salad Gaveire Kedie. Also documented is the fact that the USSR to have prior knowledge of Siad Barre’s 1969 coup in Somalia. In fact the KGB has codenamed the coup as Operation KONKORD.

Salad Gaveire Kedie was known in the Somali Army as a capable and ambitious officer. While It is important to mention that KGB Agent Operator had become a member of the ruling Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) and may or may not have had influence on policy making in Somalia. It is certainly beyond the aspiration of this short article to articulate any particular position or provide a complete analysis of the role of Salad Gaveire Kedie or for that matter any of the Somali KGB agents.

Scholars of Somali studies have in the past debated the role and the ideological positions of the members ruling Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC). The Mitrokhin Archives as documented by Christopher Andrews clearly show that Soviet leaders did not trust Siad Barre as a socialist leader and suspected him to mix Somali nationalism with socialism.

In addition to Salad Gaveire Kedie, the KGB has also established contact with an ideological officer codenamed KERL. KERL though not an agent would prove to be an important influential contact with substantial policy influence. The archives do not explicitly identify the identity of KERL but mention that KERL visited the USSR and was also a member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council.

Among other recruits of the KGB were a prominent Somali journalist codenamed Agent RASHID. The role and the contributions of Agent Rashid was not documented by Mitrokhin and Andrew. RASHID’s KGB communication was discontinued over his protests on the USSR stance in 1977 War.

http://somalianation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Somali-KGB-Agents.pdf

https://books.google.ca/books?id=AQ...rchive somali coup&pg=PP3#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Shamis]

" the USSR to have prior knowledge of Siad Barre’s 1969 coup in Somalia. In fact the KGB has codenamed the coup as Operation KONKORD."

Surprised but not shocked in the least. I always wondered why they picked that backward ideology and now I know.

"Among other recruits of the KGB were a prominent Somali journalist codenamed Agent RASHID. The role and the contributions of Agent Rashid was not documented by Mitrokhin and Andrew. RASHID’s KGB communication was discontinued over his protests on the USSR stance in 1977 War."

(Ilahey ha u naxariisto) Axmed Xasan Cawke ? He's the most prominent reporter of that era, was very close to the SRC/Kacaan government and is also from Somali Galbeed and would make support for 77 a deal breaker, like Barre did as he was also from there.

 

[merka]

" the USSR to have prior knowledge of Siad Barre’s 1969 coup in Somalia. In fact the KGB has codenamed the coup as Operation KONKORD."

Surprised but not shocked in the least. I always wondered why they picked that backward ideology and now I know.

"Among other recruits of the KGB were a prominent Somali journalist codenamed Agent RASHID. The role and the contributions of Agent Rashid was not documented by Mitrokhin and Andrew. RASHID’s KGB communication was discontinued over his protests on the USSR stance in 1977 War."

(Ilahey ha u naxariisto) Axmed Xasan Cawke ? He's the most prominent reporter of that era, was very close to the SRC/Kacaan government and is also from Somali Galbeed and would make support for 77 a deal breaker, like Barre did as he was also from there.

I always found it suspicious that the reason for the assassination of President Shermarke (AUN) was because of some personal grudge. The coup d'etat that followed was very organized and must have been planned well in advance.

 

[Shamis]

I always found it suspicious that the reason for the assassination of President Shermarke (AUN) was because of some personal grudge. The coup d'etat that followed was very organized and must have been planned well in advance.

It could be that this 'grudge' was from within the military. Somalia's military were obviously independent, had their own demands, dreams and aspirations. And if he wasn't meeting those and someone else was willing to support a military coup then well...

 

[Canuck]

the agent was not siad barre, simply he is dead more 25 years and KGB can release his name without any fear of slandering case. Plus as agent for Soviet Union he should listen to their orders in 1977 war. Also an agent for Soviet Union would not dare to send them packing in 48 hours. Lesson one in intelligence services the Soviet Union or USA always have dirty secrets on her agents in order to control them and never repelled on them. It is well known facts especially the sex films/tapes. Hard luck guys may be next you will find dirty on siad barre.

 

[merka]

It could be that this 'grudge' was from within the military. Somalia's military were obviously independent, had their own demands and if he wasn't meeting those and someone else was willing to support a military coup then well...

There was no grudge, it was obviously used as a political excuse. They waited until PM Egal (AUN) was out of the country to conduct the coup and had arrested the rest of the government ministers within a day. The coup would never have been successful without Soviet backing.

 

[Canuck]

In 60 & 70 s military coups were so easy, all you had to do as officer is wake up early and control the radio station.

 

[Shamis]

There was no grudge, it was obviously used as a political excuse. They waited until PM Egal (AUN) was out of the country to conduct the coup and had arrested the rest of the government ministers within a day. The coup would never have been successful without Soviet backing.

I meant that the grudge was political and from within the army. Somalis have a way of slipping out the a half truth.

 

[Shamis]

In 60 & 70 s military coups were so easy, all you had to do as officer is wake up early and control the radio station.

 

[merka]

the agent was not siad barre, simply he is dead more 25 years and KGB can release his name without any fear of slandering case. Plus as agent for Soviet Union he should listen to their orders in 1977 war. Also an agent for Soviet Union would not dare to send them packing in 48 hours. Lesson one in intelligence services the Soviet Union or USA always have dirty secrets on her agents in order to control them and never repelled on them. It is well known facts especially the sex films/tapes. Hard luck guys may be next you will find dirty on siad barre.

Siad Barre wasn't a Soviet agent but the military coup was a KGB operation. He worked with the Soviets to kill the President and take over the country.

 

[Canuck]

Siad Barre wasn't a Soviet agent but the military coup was a KGB operation. He worked with the Soviets to kill the President and take over the country.

No, he didn't work with them, They could use that info against him in 1977, he kicked them in 48 hours from their biggest military base in berbera. He refused their pressure to accept peace with Ethiopia during 77 war. Ceeb guys don't slander the dead man. Nothing is holding them from releasing his name.

 

[merka]

No, he didn't work with them, They could use that info against him in 1977, he kicked them in 48 hours from their biggest military base in berbera. He refused their pressure to accept peace with Ethiopia during 77 war. Ceeb guys don't slander the dead man. Nothing is holding them from releasing his name.

What does the war in 1977 have to do with the coup in 1969? It is well known that the relationship between Barre and Soviets soured by 1977. It still doesn't hide the fact that Siad Barre was part of a KGB operation and working with known KGB agents to take over the country and install a Pro-Soviet Socialist government.

 

[Canuck]

What does the war in 1977 have to do with the coup in 1969? It is well known that the relationship between Barre and Soviets soured by 1977. It still doesn't hide the fact that Siad Barre was part of a KGB operation and working with known KGB agents to take over the country and install a Pro-Soviet Socialist government.

Other cheap attempt to drag siad barre name to mud which shows your inferiority complex. listen the man is dead and the report does not indicate his name or any man's name here. Better to build your country, attacking dead would not give any recognization to your villages.

 

[merka]

Other cheap attempt to drag siad barre name to mud which shows your inferiority complex. listen the man is dead and the report does not indicate his name or any man names here. Better to build your country, attacking dead would not give any recognization to your villages.

What I have said is historical record. If you don't like it then stop reading.

 

[Mckenzie]

I hate to agree with @Canuck but she is right in this case. Salad Gabeyre was the Soviets main guy, not Siad Barre. The Egal government in 1969 was heavily pro US and they didn't like that which is why the coup took place.

Siad Barre only proclaimed scientific socialism in 1970 to get the Soviets on his side, which they did and then they betrayed Salad by exposing his counter coup. The Soviets didn't care about loyalty, it's about who can deliver them the best value at any time. That's why they switched to Ethiopia even after we were a Soviet ally for nearly a decade.

Moral of the story, don't ever become a double agent. They will stab you in the back.

 

[merka]

I hate to agree with @Canuck but she is right in this case. Salad Gabeyre was the Soviets main guy, not Siad Barre. The Egal government in 1969 was heavily pro US and they didn't like that which is why the coup took place.

Siad Barre only proclaimed scientific socialism in 1970 to get the Soviets on his side, which they did and then they betrayed Salad by exposing his counter coup. The Soviets didn't care about loyalty, it's about who can deliver them the best value at any time. That's why they switched to Ethiopia even after we were a Soviet ally for nearly a decade.

Moral of the story, don't ever become a double agent. They will stab you in the back.

I never said that Barre was a Soviet agent but he was a part of the coup in 1969 with Gabeyre and the Soviets had prior knowledge of it.

One thing that's for sure is that without the Soviets backing the coup the international community wouldn't have supported the regime. Barre had no choice but to ally with the Soviets.

 

[Thegoodshepherd]

At least we know why Salaad Gabeyre was executed. I suspect that Caynaanshe might have also been involved considering he was in on the attempted coup also.