The new regime's aims stressed the elimination of corruption and tribal nepotism and the re-establishment of a just and honourable society in which proper attention would be given to real economic and social betterment for all. In external affairs, existing treaties would be honoured and the Somali unification struggle continued, while further support would be given to liberation movements generally and to the fight against colonialism. In earnest of these intentions and hopes the state was renamed the 'Somali Democratic Republic'. The membership of the Supreme Revolutionary Council (S.R.C.) was announced on 1 November. As had been anticipated, its President turned out to be General Muhammad Siyad Barre (who had succeeded the late General Da'ud as army commander in 1965) assisted by twenty-four other officers from the rank of major-general to captain.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 509