Sharmarkee’s 1967 presidential bid was reportedly financed by the USSR, UAR, and China.

Evidence

A myriad of concerns confronted Hussen’s government during the remaining year of its tenure. Among these were the forthcoming independence referendum in French Somaliland, making progress on the economic front, and the management of relations with Ethiopia and Kenya. But none would prove more crucial than the presidential election of 1967. … Abdirashid has announced his candidacy in the election for the Presidency of the Republic, slated for July, 1967, and reportedly received assurances of financial assistance for his bid from the USSR, [United Arab Republic], and [People’s Republic of China]. Increasingly in the Assembly sessions beginning in April, Abdirashid opposed legislation proposed by the SYL in the party caucuses and on the floor of the Assembly for the sole purpose of discrediting the Abdirazak [Hussen] Government, and, indirectly, Abdirazak’s principal supporter, President Aden [Osman]. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 900

Categorization

• QUESTION: Cold War financing of Sharmarkee’s candidacy — the USSR/UAR/China backing a SYL presidential rival is worth checking against other sources on foreign involvement in Somali politics.