The Somalia Affair

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Topic spans: 1992 - 1997

Canadian peacemakers were lauded as heroes when they went into an untamed land ruled by rebels. Their mission, Operation Deliverance, charged them with restoring order in Somalia. But in fact, the Canadian Airborne regiment was splitting apart at the seams, lacking both leadership and accountability. Murder after murder, the troops came home disgraced. Tracks were covered and responsibility shifted up and down the chain of command during an investigation that would dismantle the army and implicate the government in a high-level cover-up.

Photo of Canadian aid worker with Somali child by Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press.

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Witnesses to murder: the Somalia public inquiry

Broadcast Date: May 24, 1995

It was expected to be a quiet day of formality and introduction but explosive charges rocked the Somalia public inquiry, as documented in this CBC Radio report. The inquiry, charged with investigating the Airborne's deployment to Somalia and subsequent accusations of a cover-up, heard from Canadian lawyer Isaac Sechere, a member of the Somali community. He says that Somalis frequently suffered at the hands of the Canadians.

Witnesses to murder: the Somalia public inquiry

• The Commission of Inquiry into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia was chaired by Gilles Letourneau. Judge Robert Rutherford and journalist and academic Peter Desbarats also served on the Commission. The Commission was called in 1995 by Defence Minister David Collenette.
• The Commission was given a mandate to explore accountability, reporting procedures and leadership, among other issues.

Witnesses to murder: the Somalia public inquiry

Medium: Radio

Program: Canada at Five

Broadcast Date: May 24, 1995

Guest(s): Isaac Sechere

Host: Barbara Smith
Reporter: Michael McAuliffe

Duration: 1:47

Last updated:
May 23, 2004

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