Somaliland Declaration of Independence

The Somaliland Declaration of Independence (formally Republic of Somaliland) was proclaimed on 18 May 1991 by Somali Sultans from the Isaaq, Dhulbahante, Issa, Gadabursi, Warsangali clans and Somali National Movement.[2][3][4][5] Chairman of the SNM, and soon to be first President of Somaliland[6] which came from the independence it gained on 26 June 1960 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.[7]

Somaliland Declaration of Independence
Agreements between Somali Sultans from the Isaaq, Dhulbahante, Issa, Gadabursi, Warsangali clans and Somali National Movement
Created5 May 1991
Ratified18 May 1991
Author(s)Adan Ahmed Diiriye
Signatories17 Somali Sultans from Sool, Sanaag, Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer signed the Declaration of Independence of Somaliland
PurposeDeclare the independence of the Republic of Somaliland[1]

Background

The Northern Peace Process
Garaad Abdiqani of the Dhulbahante who tabled the case for succession

After the SNM was able to exert control over North-Western Somalia, the organisation quickly opted for a cessation of hostilities and reconciliation with non-Isaaq communities.[8] A peace conference occurred in Berbera between 15 and 21 February 1991 restore trust and confidence between Northern communities whereby the SNM leadership had talks with representatives from the Issa, Gadabursi, Dhulbahante and Warsangeli clans.[8][9][10] This was especially the case since non-Isaaq communities were said to have been largely associated with Siad Barre's regime and fought on opposing side of the Isaaq.[8]

This conference laid the foundation for the "Grand Conference of the Northern Clans" which occurred in Burao between 27 April and 18 May 1991 which aimed to bring peace to Northern Somalia. After extensive consultations amongst clan representatives and the SNM leadership, it was agreed that Northern Somalia (formerly State of Somaliland) would revoke its voluntary union with the rest of Somalia to form the "Republic of Somaliland".[10] Although there were hopes amongst of Northern communities for succession as early as 1961, the SNM did not have a clear policy on this matter from the onset.[11] However, any nationalistic objectives amongst SNM members and supporters was abruptly altered in light of the genocide experienced under the Barre regime. As a result, strengthening the case for succession and reclamation of independence to the territory of State of Somaliland.[11] Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jama who led the Dhulbahante delegation was first to table the case for succession.[11]

Borders
Main article: British Somaliland
See the Puntland–Somaliland dispute
British Somaliland Borders.

The boundaries declared by Somaliland in the Declaration are the British Somaliland borders established by Britain in 1884. Although a regional administration in Somalia claims the eastern borders of Somaliland in Sool and Sanaag, Somaliland controls 80% of Sool and Sanaag.[12]

Signing of Declaration of Independence

The signing of the Somaliland Declaration of Independence occurred on the May 5th resolution of the Burao grand conference. At the second national meeting on May 18, the SNM Central Committee, with the support of a meeting of elders representing the major clans in the northern regions, declared the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland in the territory of the former short-lived independent State of Somaliland and formed a government for the self-declared Country.[13][14][15][16][17]

List of signatories

Seventeen Somali Sultans from Sool, Sanaag, Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer signed the Declaration of Independence of Somaliland.

The house where Somaliland's independence was declared 18 may 1991 in Burao.

Woqooyi Galbeed

1. Sultan Mahamed Farah
2. Sultan Abdi SH. ahamed
3. Sultan Mahamed Sultan Abdi Qadir
4. Sultan sahardiid Sultan Diirye
5. Sultan Ismael Muse

Togdheer

6. Sultan Yuusuf Sultan Hirsi

Sanaag

7. Sultan Rashiid Sultan Ali
8. Sultan Ismael Sultan mahamed
9. Ahmed Shiikh Saalah

Sool

10. Shiikh Daahir Haaji Hasan
11. Ahmed Hirsi Awl

Awdal

12. Sultan Mahamed Jama
13. Shiikh Muse Jama
14. Hasan Cumar Samatar
15. Mahamed Warsame Shiil

Sool

16. Garaad Abdiqani Garaad Jama
17. Sultan Ali Muse

First Somaliland Council of Ministers (1991)

The first government of Somaliland was headed by Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur as President of Somaliland and Hassan Isse Jama as Vice-President of Somaliland. The first Council of Ministries endorsed by the SNM Central Committee were as follows:

Ministery of Internal Affairs and Municipalities

1. Saleebaan Mohamed Aadan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2. Sheekh Yusuf Sh. Ali Sh. Madar

Ministery of Finance

3. Ismail Mohamoud Hurry

Ministery of Reconstruction & Rehabilitation

4. Hasan Adan Wadadid

Ministery of Defence

5. Mohamed Kaahin Ahmed

Minstery of Commerce & Industries

6. Daahir Mohamed Yusuf

Minstery of Religion & Justice

7. Ahmed Ismail Abdi

Minstery of Health & Labour

8. Abiib Diiriye Nuur

Minstery of Education, Youth & Sports

9. Abdirahman Aw Farah

Minstery of Fisheries & Coasts

10. Omer Eisa Awale

Minstery of Planning & Development

11. Jama Rabile Good

Minstery of Minerals & Water

12. Mohamed Ali Aateeye

Minstery of Housing & Public Works

13. Mahdi Abdi Amarre

Minstery of Information Tourists

14. Osman Aadan Dool

Minstery of Livestock

15. Yasin Ahmed Haji Nur

Minstery of Telecommunications & Transport (Somaliland)

16. Mohamoud Abdi Ali Bayr

Minstery of Agriculture & Environment

17. Sa’ed Mohamed Nur

Ministry of Presidency

18. Yusuf Mohamed Ali

Minstery of Internal Affairs

19. Ahmed Jambir Suldan

Vice Minstery of Defence

20. Dahir Sheekh Abdillahi

Vice Minstery of Finance

21. Aadan Jama Sahar

Vice Minstery of Justice

22. Sheekh Mohamed Jama Aadan

.[18]

The Declaration of Independence
The chairman of the Guurti announces the election results. Mohamed Ibrahim Egal is elected president by a substantial majority and Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah is declared vice-president.

In May 1991, the SNM announced the independence of "Somaliland" and the formation of an interim administration whereby Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur was elected to govern for a period of two years.[8][9] Many former SNM members were key in the formation of the government and constitution.

In May 1993 the "Borama Conference" took place to elect a new president and Vice President.[19] The conference was attended by 150 elders from the Isaaq (88), Gadabursi (21), Dhulbahante (21), Warsengali (11) and Issa (9) communities and was endorsed by the SNM.[19] As a result, the conference granted the government of Somaliland local legitimacy beyond the realms of the Isaaq dominated SNM, especially since the town of Borama was predominantly inhabited by the Gadabursi.[19]

At this conference, the delegates agreed to establish an executive president and a bicameral legislature whereby Somaliland's second president Muhammad Haji Egal was elected. Egal would be reelected for a second term in 1997.[20]

Independence from the United Kingdom
Main article: State of Somaliland
Agreements and Exchanges of Letters between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Somaliland in connexion with the Attainment of Independence by Somaliland[21]
The Somaliland Protectorate Constitutional Conference, London, 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)

On June 26, 1960, the former British Somaliland protectorate briefly obtained independence as the State of Somaliland, with the Trust Territory of Somaliland following suit five days later.[22][23] The following day, on June 27, 1960, the newly convened Somaliland Legislative Assembly approved a bill that would formally allow for the union of the State of Somaliland with the Trust Territory of Somaliland on 1 July 1960.[24]

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 the State of Somaliland during its planned transition to union with the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian Administration, the former Italian Somaliland.[25]

During its brief existence, the State of Somaliland received international recognition from 35 countries,[26] that included China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya, the Soviet Union. The United States Secretary of State Christian Herter sent a congratulatory message,[26][27][28] and the United Kingdom signed several bilateral agreements with Somaliland in Hargeisa on June 26, 1960.[26][29]

This a copy of the letter that United States Secretary of State Christian Herter sent

June 26, 1960
Their Excellencies,
Council of Ministers of Somaliland, Hargeisa.
Your Excellencies: I extend my best wishes and congratulations on the achievement of your independence. This is a noteworthy milestone in your history, and it is with pleasure that I send
my warmest regards on this happy occasion.
Christian a. Herter
Secretary of State, United States of America .[27]

And here is the letter that Elizabeth II send to the people of Somaliland in the independence day .

“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.”[30]

There were also fears of clashes with populations in Ethiopia.[31]

British Somaliland Protectorate was granted as an independent country on 26 June 1960. That year was famous for the phrase “the winds of change” within the British Empire as it was used in a speech by the then British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan. Of the British colonies in the African continent, Somaliland became an independent state after Sudan (which became independent in 1956) and Ghana in 1957, while Ethiopia was never colonized. It was an imperial state. In its first session, the government of Somaliland voted for union with brothers in the South with an overwhelming majority.

On July 1, 1960, five days after the former British Somaliland protectorate obtained independence as the State of Somaliland, the territory united as scheduled with the Trust Territory of Somaliland to form the Somali Republic (Somalia).[22][23]

A government was formed by Abdullahi Issa, with Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf 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 July 20, 1961, and through a popular referendum, the Somali people ratified a new constitution, which was first drafted in 1960.[32] 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,[33] 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.[33]

Somaliland constitutional referendum
Main article: 2001 Somaliland constitutional referendum
Presidential decree ratifying the Somaliland constitution by Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal

On May 31, 2001 a referendum was held on a draft constitution that affirmed the independence of Somaliland from Somalia. But the referendum was opposed by the Somali government and did not lead to any international recognition.

See also

References
  1. Declaration of Independence Following State of Somaliland.
  2. Mohamud Omar Ali, Koss Mohammed, Michael Walls. "Peace in Somaliland: An Indigenous Approach to State-Building" (PDF). Academy for Peace and Development. p. 12. Retrieved 2 June 2017. On 18 May 1991 at this second national meeting, the Somali National Movement Central Committee, with the support of a meeting of elders representing the major clans in the Northern Regions, declared the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland, covering the same area as that of the former British Somaliland Protectorate. The Burao conference also established a government for the RepublicCS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/122751/bk-somali-conflict-part5-010194-en.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y
  4. http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/content/pdf/participant-papers/2012-12-aaccd/Becoming_Somaliland_-_Janine_Graf.pdf
  5. http://www.somalilandlaw.com/Burao_Conference_Elders_Signed_Resolution_050591.pdf
  6. Bradbury, Mark; Abokor, Adan Yusuf; Yusuf, Haroon Ahmed (2003). "Somaliland: Choosing Politics over Violence". Review of African Political Economy. 30 (97): 455–478. doi:10.1080/03056244.2003.9659778. JSTOR 4006988. S2CID 153611035.
  7. Somalia - British Somaliland and Somaliland
  8. ISSAfrica.org (2009-09-05). "The political development of Somaliland and its conflict with Puntland". ISS Africa. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  9. "Somaliland: Democratisation and its Discontents". Crisis Group. 2003-07-28. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  10. Prunier, Gérard (2000-04-01). "Somalia re-invents itself". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  11. Ingiriis, Mohamed Haji (2016-04-01). The Suicidal State in Somalia: The Rise and Fall of the Siad Barre Regime, 1969–1991. UPA. ISBN 978-0-7618-6720-3.
  12. http://www.somalilandlaw.com/somaliland_boundaries.html
  13. Mohamud Omar Ali, Koss Mohammed, Michael Walls. "Peace in Somaliland: An Indigenous Approach to State-Building" (PDF). Academy for Peace and Development. p. 12. Retrieved 2 June 2017. On 18 May 1991 at this second national meeting, the Somali National Movement Central Committee, with the support of a meeting of elders representing the major clans in the Northern Regions, declared the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland, covering the same area as that of the former British Somaliland Protectorate. The Burao conference also established a government for the RepublicCS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  14. https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/122751/bk-somali-conflict-part5-010194-en.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y
  15. http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/content/pdf/participant-papers/2012-12-aaccd/Becoming_Somaliland_-_Janine_Graf.pdf
  16. http://www.somalilandlaw.com/Burao_Conference_Elders_Signed_Resolution_050591.pdf
  17. Bradbury, Mark; Abokor, Adan Yusuf; Yusuf, Haroon Ahmed (2003). "Somaliland: Choosing Politics over Violence". Review of African Political Economy. 30 (97): 455–478. doi:10.1080/03056244.2003.9659778. JSTOR 4006988. S2CID 153611035.
  18. Mohamud Omar Ali, Koss Mohammed, Michael Walls. "Peace in Somaliland: An Indigenous Approach to State-Building" (PDF). Academy for Peace and Development. p. 12. Retrieved 2 June 2017. First Somaliland Council of Ministers (1991)CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  19. Lyons, Terrence; Samatar, Ahmed I. (2010-12-01). Somalia: State Collapse, Multilateral Intervention, and Strategies for Political Reconstruction. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 978-0-8157-2025-6.
  20. "Africa Notes: Somaliland: The Little Country that Could - November 2002". www.csis.org. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  21. http://foto.archivalware.co.uk/data/Library2/pdf/1960-TS0044.pdf
  22. Somalia
  23. Encyclopædia Britannica, The New Encyclopædia Britannica, (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2002), p.835
  24. "Somali Independence Week – Roobdoon Forum June 21, 2009". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  25. Paolo Contini, The Somali Republic: an experiment in legal integration, (Routledge, 1969), p.6.
  26. http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/anotes_0211.pdf
  27. http://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
  28. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1958-60v14/d62
  29. 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.
  30. http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=1987
  31. "Somaliland Marks Independence After 73 Years of British Rule" (fee required). The New York Times. 1960-06-26. p. 6. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  32. Greystone Press Staff, The Illustrated Library of The World and Its Peoples: Africa, North and East, (Greystone Press: 1967), p.338
  33. Richards, Rebecca (2014). Understanding Statebuilding: Traditional Governance and the Modern State in Somaliland. Surrey: Ashgate. pp. 84–85. ISBN 9781472425898.
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