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''The Military Take Over (1969 coup d'état); The Beginning of the New Era'' Forty years have passed since the military forces took over power in Somalia in a bloodless coup overthrowing the post-colonial state founded on western democratic model. I would like to assess the history and the legacy of this regime in a series of articles. The Prime Minster Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal was in the United States for an official visit at the time when the news of the assassination of the President, Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke reached him. The constitution of the country stated the parliament must elect a successor immediately, if such a situation arises. When the lobbying and campaigning that who would succeed the President started, it became clear that personal interests were overriding national ones and the new candidate would not be judged by his national contributions or political skills. Reports of money exchanging hands for buying voters