State of Somaliland

File:Independence Day State of Somaliland.png and the Government of Somaliland in connexion with the Attainment of Independence by Somaliland{{Cite web| title=Agreements and Exchanges of Letters | url=http://foto.archivalware.co.uk/data/Library2/pdf/1960-TS0044.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723093038/http://foto.archivalware.co.uk/data/Library2/pdf/1960-TS0044.pdf | archive-date=2020-07-23}}]]

Initially the British government planned to delay the protectorate of British Somaliland independence in favour of a gradual transfer of power. The arrangement would allow local politicians to gain more political experience in running the protectorate before official independence. However, strong pan-Somali nationalism and a landslide victory in the earlier elections encouraged them to demand independence and unification with the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian Administration.{{cite web |title=Central Intelligence Bulletin 26th Feb 1960 |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP79T00975A004900470001-6.pdf |website=CIA |access-date=19 April 2021}}

The British stated that it would be prepared to grant independence to the then protectorate of British Somaliland, with the intention that the territory would unite with the Trust Territory of Somaliland. The Legislative Council of British Somaliland passed a resolution in April 1960 requesting independence and union with the Trust Territory of Somaliland, which was scheduled to gain independence on 1 July that year. The legislative councils of both territories agreed to this proposal following a joint conference in Mogadishu.{{Cite web |url=http://wardheernews.com/Articles_09/June/Roobdoon_Forum/29_Independence_week_series.html |title=Somali Independence Week |access-date=2011-01-24 |archive-date=2011-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928052641/http://wardheernews.com/Articles_09/June/Roobdoon_Forum/29_Independence_week_series.html |url-status=dead }}

File:Somaliland Flying for the first time The White and Blue Somali Flag at the Independence Celebrations on 26 June 1960.jpg at the Independence ceremony on 26 June 1960. The then Prime Minister of the State of Somaliland Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal salutes the flag.]]

File:The Somaliland Protectorate Constitutional Conference, London.png, May 1960 in which it was decide that 26 June be the day of Independence, and so signed on 12 May 1960. Somaliland Delegation: Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, Ahmed Haji Dualeh, Ali Garad Jama& Haji Ibrahim Nur. From the Colonial Office: Ian Macleod, D. B. Hall, H. C. F. Wilks (Secretary)]]

Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, who had previously served as an unofficial member of the former British Somaliland protectorate's Executive Council and the leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council, became the prime minister of Somaliland.Paolo Contini, The Somali Republic: an experiment in legal integration, (Routledge, 1969), p.6.

On 26 June 1960, the former British Somaliland protectorate obtained independence as Somaliland.Encyclopædia Britannica, The New Encyclopædia Britannica, (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2002), p.835 The following day, on 27 June 1960, the newly convened Somaliland Legislative Assembly passed a bill that would formally allow for the union of Somaliland with the Trust Territory of Somaliland, which was set for independence on 1 July 1960.

There were also fears of clashes with populations in Ethiopia.{{cite news |title=Somaliland Marks Independence After 73 Years of British Rule |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00A10FB395A1A7A93C4AB178DD85F448685F9 |format=fee required |work=The New York Times |page=6 |date=1960-06-26 |access-date=2008-06-20}}

Following unification on 1 July 1960, a government was formed by Abdullahi Issa, with Abdulcadir Muhammed Aden as President of the Somali National Assembly, Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as President and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke as Prime Minister, later to become President (from 1967 to 1969). On 20 July 1961, and through a popular referendum, the Somali people ratified a new constitution, which was first drafted in 1960.Greystone Press Staff, The Illustrated Library of The World and Its Peoples: Africa, North and East, (Greystone Press: 1967), p.338 The constitution was widely regarded as unfair in the former Somaliland, however, and over 60% of the northern voters were against it in the referendum. Regardless, it was signed into law. Widespread dissatisfaction spread among the north's population,{{sfnp|Richards|2014|p=84}} and British-trained officers attempted a revolt to end the union in December 1961. Their uprising failed, and Somaliland continued to be marginalized by the south during the next decades.{{sfnp|Richards|2014|p=85}}

During its existence, Somaliland received international recognition from 35 countries,{{Cite web |title=Somaliland: The Little Country that Could |url=http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/anotes_0211.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214047/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/anotes_0211.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04}} that included China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya and the Soviet Union.

Queen Elizabeth II sent the following message to the people of Somaliland to mark independence day:

{{Blockquote| "I, my Government and my people in the United Kingdom, wish you well on this day of independence. The connection between our people goes back some 130 years and British administration of the Protectorate for 60 years. I look forward to a continuing and enduring friendship between our two countries."{{Cite web|url=http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=1987|title=Biyokulule Online|website=www.biyokulule.com}}}}

The United States Secretary of State Christian Herter sent a congratulatory message,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/united-states-dept-of-state-office-of-public-co/department-of-state-bulletin-volume-v-43-jul--sep1960-tin/page-25-department-of-state-bulletin-volume-v-43-jul--sep1960-tin.shtml|title=Read the eBook Department of State bulletin (Volume v. 43, Jul- Sep1960) by United States. Dept. of State. Office of Public Co online for free (page 25 of 100)|website=www.ebooksread.com|access-date=2020-12-30|archive-date=2020-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030015511/https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/united-states-dept-of-state-office-of-public-co/department-of-state-bulletin-volume-v-43-jul--sep1960-tin/page-25-department-of-state-bulletin-volume-v-43-jul--sep1960-tin.shtml|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1958-60v14/d62|title=Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Africa, Volume XIV - Office of the Historian|website=history.state.gov}} and the United Kingdom signed several bilateral agreements with Somaliland in Hargeisa on June 26, 1960.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebrenthurstfoundation.org/Files/Brenthurst_Commisioned_Reports/BD-1105_Consequences-of-Somalilands-International-Recognition.pdf|title=THE BRENTHURST FOUNDATION Strengthening Africa's economic performance AFRICAN GAme ChANGeR? The Consequences of Somaliland's International (Non) Recognition

This list includes China (Republic of ), Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom, and the United States.

The system of governance for Somaliland was established by the Constitution of Somaliland which was enacted by the Somaliland Order in Council 1960 (SI 1960/1060) made by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on 23 June 1960.{{cite web | url=https://www.academia.edu/2916544 | title=Brief history about somaliland constitutions | last1=Hagoog | first1=Adnan }}{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fI1QAQAAIAAJ | title=Statutory Instruments | date=1960 }}{{Cite web| title=Report of the Somaliland Protectorate Constitutional Conference | url=https://saxafimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Somaliland_constitutional_conference_may1960.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625211953/https://saxafimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Somaliland_constitutional_conference_may1960.pdf | archive-date=2021-06-25}}

The Order in Council explicitly stated that "Somaliland shall become an independent country on the 26 day of June, 1960" and that British protection over Somaliland would lapse on the same date. The introduction to the constitution defined Somaliland's territory as being all the territory of the British Somaliland Protectorate.

The constitution established three branches of government following the Westminster system:{{cite web | url=http://www.somalilandlaw.com/somaliland_constitution_1960.HTM | title=Somaliland Constitution 1960 }}

• The Council of Ministers which was led by the Prime Minister and included four other ministers.
• The Legislative Assembly which had 34 members and was presided over by a Speaker.
• The High Court which was made up of a number of Judges determined by the Council of Ministers.

Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal was the first and only holder of the office.{{cite web | url=https://somalilandstandard.com/somalilands-26th-june-1960-86-years-of-protectorate-comes-to-end/ | title=Somaliland's 26th June 1960, 86 years of protectorate comes to end | date=26 June 2019 }}

The Council of Ministers had five members:{{cite web | url=https://somalilandstandard.com/somalilands-26th-june-1960-86-years-of-protectorate-comes-to-end/ | title=Somaliland's 26th June 1960, 86 years of protectorate comes to end | date=26 June 2019 }}

File:The First Parliament of Somaliland 1960.jpg

The Somaliland Legislative Assembly had 33 members (MLAs), including an ex-officio Speaker. Members of the legislative assembly were elected in February 1960 from 33 single-member constituencies.Dolf Sternberger, Bernhard Vogel, Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Zweiter Halbband, p1926{{cite web | url=https://somalilandstandard.com/somalilands-26th-june-1960-86-years-of-protectorate-comes-to-end/ | title=Somaliland's 26th June 1960, 86 years of protectorate comes to end | date=26 June 2019 }}

Today's re-established Republic of Somaliland functions as a de facto independent state and regards itself as the legal successor to the State of Somaliland.{{Cite news |title=Somaliland Marks Independence After 73 Years of British Rule |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00A10FB395A1A7A93C4AB178DD85F448685F9 |format=fee required |work=The New York Times |page=6 |date=1960-06-26 |access-date=2008-06-20}}{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10740852 | work=BBC News | title=How Britain said farewell to its Empire | date=2010-07-23}} However, unlike the former State of Somaliland, it has not gained widespread diplomatic recognition as a country, instead being treated as an autonomous region within Somalia.{{Cite news | title = The Signs Say Somaliland, but the World Says Somalia | work = New York Times | date = 2006-06-05 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/world/africa/05somaliland.html | access-date = 2010-02-02 | first=Marc | last=Lacey}}{{Cite web | title = The Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic | publisher = University of Pretoria | date = 2004-02-01 | url = http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/countries/docs/charterfeb04.pdf | access-date = 2010-02-02 | archive-date = 2010-02-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100215171406/http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/countries/docs/charterfeb04.pdf | url-status = dead }} "The Somali Republic shall have the following boundaries. (a) North; Gulf of Aden. (b) North West; Djibouti. (c) West; Ethiopia. (d) South south-west; Kenya. (e) East; Indian Ocean."

{{reflist|3}}

• {{Cite book

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BFd7BAAAQBAJ

|title=Understanding Statebuilding: Traditional Governance and the Modern State in Somaliland

|last=Richards

|first=Rebecca

|year=2014

|publisher=Ashgate

|location=Surrey

|isbn=9781472425898

|language=en

}}

• [https://books.google.com/books?id=fI1QAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1279 Somaliland Order in Council (S.I. No. 1060 of 1960)]
• [http://www.somalilandlaw.com/somaliland_constitution_1960.HTM 1960 Constitution of Somaliland]
• [http://www.somalilandlaw.com/Treaties_between_the_UK_and_the_State_of_Somaliland_1960.pdf Agreements made between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Somaliland on 26 June 1960]
• [https://archive.org/details/somalirepublicex0000cont/page/n12 The Somali Republic: an experiment in legal integration] by Paolo Contini—leader of the UN Consultative Commission for Integration, which oversaw the union of the former State of Somaliland and the Trust Territory of Somaliland.

{{Somaliland topics}}

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Category:States and territories established in 1960

Category:States and territories disestablished in 1960

Category:Political history of Somaliland