The development of this official ideology and of other reinforcing divisions became increasingly important to General Siyad's regime as the public enthusiasm which had greeted the coup initially gradually diminished. A national cult owing something to Chinese, North Korean and Nasserite as well as Soviet influences, was gradually created round the Head of State. The new official hagiography presented General Siyad as the 'Victorious Leader' (Guulwaadde), dauntessly leading the nation in its unremiting struggle against its foes.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 514