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When and Where Was Mohamed Siad Barre Born?
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When and Where Was Mohamed Siad Barre Born?

Written by
Amy McKenna
Amy McKenna is a senior editor, primarily focused on geography and history matters pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. She joined Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2004. She was previously employed by Standard...
Amy McKenna
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

The date and location of Mohamed Siad Barre’s birth have long been unclear. Several dates between 1910 and 1921 have been reported as the year of his birth. The years 1919, 1920, and 1921 are said to have been presented at different times by Somali government sources or Siad himself, but other sources assert that his birth occurred earlier. Siad is known to have misstated his place of birth as being in Italian Somaliland (towns there that have been listed as his birthplace include Garbahaarrey, Buurdhuubo, and Ganane). He purportedly did this to be eligible to join the Italian colonial police force. His actual place of birth is said to be Shilabo, located in the Ogaden region of southeastern Ethiopia.

Amy McKenna