Somalia' Islamic Courts made their nest in the Seventies

[From the French language press]:
L’islamisme a fait son nid dans les années soixante-dix. Bien avant la chute de Siad Barre en 1991, le mouvement, alors embryonnaire, a commencé sa percée dans un pays où l’islam soufi était dominant, avant de donner naissance aux Tribunaux islamiques.

L'Umanité - Paris,France; 29 Décembre 2006; Hassane Zerrouky

Well before the 1991' overthrow of Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre, Islamism, at that time an embryonic movement, made its way in a country until then largely dominated by Sufism.

It was during the Seventies that Siad Barre, in war for the control of Ogaden, turned to the countries of the Gulf. By means of their bank Al-Baraka, and with the support of Sudan, the financing of the Salafi activists was made possible.

Salafists, supported by the tradesmen of the capital, set up the first militia which later, directed by Ahmed Sharif, became a frightening army, the Union of Islamic Courts.