Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis

Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis
Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis Symbol
Active	1960–1977
Disbanded	June 27, 1977
Country	French Somaliland Djibouti
Type	Paramilitary (pre-independence) Unified armed forces (post-independence)
Size	Average: 1,300

Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis (English: Front for the Liberation of the Somali Coast) was a nationalist organization, and later a guerrilla group, in the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas in present-day Djibouti. It competes with the Djibouti Liberation Movement (MLD), supported by Ethiopia. The FLCS was recognized as a national liberation movement by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which participated in its financing.

History

The FLCS was established in 1960 by Mahamoud Harbi. Its founding president was Adan Abdulle.^[1] FLCS began armed activities outside Djibouti in 1968. From May of 1969, its general secretary is Aden Robleh Awaleh. In January 1970 the Front claimed an attack on the Palm in Zinc, a bar in Djibouti City. In 1975 FLCS removes the ambassador of France in Somalia, Jean Guery, to be exchanged against two activists of the Front, which Omar Osman Rabeh. In December 1975, he claimed a failed attack against Ali Aref Bourhan. In February 1976, the FLCS claims the hijacking of a school bus, which ends with the death of the hostage-takers and two children. ^[2] The organization mainly drew its support from the Issa clan.^[3] Abdourahman Ahmed Hassan, also known as Gaboode, was made the Secretary General in 1966 after serving a two-year prison sentence. ^[4]

The FLCS' military struggle was actively supported by the government of Somalia.^[3] The group also received assistance from the OAU as a national liberation movement. In the 1971-1972 period, the FLCS received 1500 pounds sterling from the OAU, 0.14% of the total amount donated by the body to different African liberation movements at the time.^[5] The FLCS evolves in its demands between the request of integration in a possible "Great Somalia" or the simple independence of the territory. In 1975 FLCS approaches the African People's League for the Independence and finally opts for independence path, causing tensions with Mogadishu, Somalia. At independence of the territory in 27 June 1977 FLCS 1,300 to 1,400 militants are integrated into the new Djiboutian Armed Forces, but not those of the MLD despite the request of Ahmed Dini.

References