There are various reasons behind this apparent loss of interest–the inefficiency of the Somali army, its poor record of maintainence and discipline, a festering guerrilla war in the north that threatens to topple the regime of President Siad Barre, Barre’s poor human rights record and the welcoming of the United States in more built-up and easily defended areas.
Diplomats believe the tide changed after joint Somali-U.S. military exercises in 1983. The exercises, Eastern Wind 83, failed dismally.
“The Somali army did not perform up to any standard,” one diplomat said.
The inefficiency of the Somali armed forces is legendary among foreign military men.
Last month, Somalia shot down one of its own nine functioning aircraft and last year accidently fired on two U.S. F-15 fighters during a mapping exercise near Mogadishu.
U.S. military officials in Somalia have grown disgusted with the performance of the Somali army and its inability to keep anything working.
“To make Berbera a workable base and Somalia, for that matter, a workable staging area, the U.S. would have to man it themselves; they cannot depend on the Somalis,” the officer said.
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