Victory Pioneers (Somalia)
Encyclopedia
The Victory Pioneers were a neighborhood-level internal security unit active in the closing years of the Siad Barré
regime in Somalia, until its ousting in 1991. Numbering approximately 10,000, they were also known as the "People's Militia".
, "members of the [Pioneers] raped large numbers of Majeerteen women. In addition, the clan lost an estimated 50,000 camels, 10,000 cattle, and 100,000 sheep and goats."
Other sources have described the Guulwadayaal as poorly trained, urban and rural drifters recruited to spy on the bewildered citizens.
After the more widely-known NSS
was formally dissolved in 1990 as a palliative measure, its functions were taken over by other units within Barré's internal security apparatus, such as the Hangash
(a military intelligence unit) and others.
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
regime in Somalia, until its ousting in 1991. Numbering approximately 10,000, they were also known as the "People's Militia".
Synopsis
According to a U.S. Library of Congress Country Study published in 1993, "Pioneer units, [existing] in every town and village, ensured loyalty to Siad Barre's regime by encouraging people to spy on each other in the work place, schools, mosques, and private homes." The same report attests to the role of the Pioneers in suppressions of the Majerteen clan; in particular, it asserts that in the city of GaalkacyoGaalkacyo
Galkayo , also known as Galcaio or Galkacyo, is the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. The city is divided into two zones, where the main northern portion forms part of Puntland state, while its southern tip is governed by the Galmudug administration.Ruled in the early modern...
, "members of the [Pioneers] raped large numbers of Majeerteen women. In addition, the clan lost an estimated 50,000 camels, 10,000 cattle, and 100,000 sheep and goats."
Other sources have described the Guulwadayaal as poorly trained, urban and rural drifters recruited to spy on the bewildered citizens.
After the more widely-known NSS
National Security Service (Somalia)
The National Security Service was the primary intelligence service of the government of Siad Barre and the bedrock of its repressive internal security apparatus, existing from 1970 until 1990 when it was formally abolished.- Organization and structure :...
was formally dissolved in 1990 as a palliative measure, its functions were taken over by other units within Barré's internal security apparatus, such as the Hangash
Hangash
The Hangash a Somali acronym standing for Military Intelligence Unit) was a notorious secret police unit in Somalia under the regime of Siad Barré until its collapse in 1991.- Overview :...
(a military intelligence unit) and others.