Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party

(Redirected from XHKS)

XHKS flag

XHKS poster

Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (in Somali: Xisbiga Hantiwadaagga Kacaanka Soomaaliyeed or XHKS), the governing political party in Somalia 1976-1991. XHKS was created by the military regime of Siad Barre under Soviet guidance. A founding congress was held in June 1976. The congress elected a Central Committee, with Barre as the party general secretary. A five-member politburo, consisting of Barre, Brigadier General Mahammad Ali Samantar (vice-president), Major General Husseen Kulmiye (2nd vice-president), General Ahmad Sulaymaan Abdullah and General Ahmad Mahamuud Faarah, was constituted. In theory XHKS was a marxist party, but which also included Islamic teachings in its ideology.

During a brief period, prior to the escalation of conflict with Ethiopia in 1977, XHKS developed relations with foreign communist parties, such as the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Socialist Unity Party of Germany. CPSU initiated a programme of assistance for the XHKS party school.

After the break with the socialist states, a group including XHKS CC member broke away to form groups that in 1981 would emerge as the Democratic Front for Salvation of Somalia.

The Seveth Article of the 1979 constitution of the Somali Democratic Republic clarified the role of XHKS:

"Authority and Leadership of the Party

The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party shall be the only legal party in the Somali Democratic Republic; no other party or political organisation may be established.
The Somali Revolutionary Socialist party shall have supreme authority of political and socio-economic leadership in the Somali Democratic Republic."

XHKS was supposed to function as a political force transcending clan lines, but in reality there was little change in political practice. Power was concentrated to three clans. The party developed an intelligence branch, Baadhista xisbiga, which worked parallel to state intelligence and paramilitary groups.

At most XHKS had around 20 000 members.

XHKS held its 3rd Congress in November 1986. A major reshuffle of the Central Committee took place.

When Barre's regime fell in 1991, XHKS disappeared. In the same year the Somali National Front was organized by Barre loyalists.

Categories: Political parties in Somalia