State of Somaliland, 26 June to 1 July 1960

What it was

The State of Somaliland (Qaranka Soomaaliland) became independent from the United Kingdom on 26 June 1960. On 1 July 1960 it united with the Trust Territory of Somalia, which became independent from Italian administration the same day, to form the Somali Republic (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). Its territory was the whole of the former British Somaliland Protectorate (Somaliland Constitution 1960, via Somaliland Law). For the full story of these days see independence and union, 26 June to 1 July 1960 and British Somaliland, 1884 to 1960.

How it came about

Britain had first planned a slower handover so that local politicians could gain experience. Sources say strong pan-Somali feeling and a landslide in the February 1960 elections led the elected leaders to ask for independence and union instead (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). In April 1960 the Legislative Council of British Somaliland passed a resolution asking for independence and union with the Trust Territory, and a joint conference in Mogadishu agreed the plan (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland; Somaliland constitutional conference, May 1960).

Its constitution and government

The Somaliland Order in Council 1960 (SI 1960/1060), made on 23 June 1960, set 26 June as the day of independence and ended British protection that day (Wikipedia; Somaliland Constitution 1960). It set up a Westminster-style system:

• Council of Ministers: the Prime Minister and four other ministers.
• Legislative Assembly: 33 members elected in February 1960 from 33 single-member seats, plus a Speaker.
• High Court: judges as set by the Council of Ministers.

Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, formerly Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council, was the first and only Prime Minister (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). On 27 June 1960 the new Legislative Assembly passed a law to allow union with the Trust Territory (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland).

Recognition

Sources record that 33 countries recognised the State of Somaliland during its five days, among them the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya and the Soviet Union (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). The United Kingdom signed several agreements with it in Hargeisa on 26 June 1960 (UK–Somaliland treaties 1960, via Somaliland Law). US Secretary of State Christian Herter sent congratulations to the Council of Ministers in Hargeisa (US Department of State Bulletin, vol. 43, 1960). Queen Elizabeth II's message spoke of a connection "some 130 years" old and 60 years of British administration (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland).

After the union

The first government of the Somali Republic was led by Abdullahi Issa, with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as President and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke as Prime Minister (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). In the 1961 constitutional referendum, more than 60% of voters in the former Somaliland voted against the constitution, which was adopted nationally (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). In December 1961 British-trained officers in the north attempted a revolt to end the union; it failed (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland). See the 1960 constitution.

Its place in later claims

The Republic of Somaliland, declared in 1991, regards itself as the legal successor of the 1960 State of Somaliland. It has not received the wide recognition the 1960 state had (Wikipedia: State of Somaliland; Brenthurst Foundation, 2011). The Federal Government of Somalia regards Somaliland as part of Somalia (Wikipedia: Administrative divisions of Somalia). See Somaliland, 1991 to 2026.

Sources

• Wikipedia: State of Somaliland
• Constitution of Somaliland, 1960
• Treaties between the UK and the State of Somaliland, 1960
• US Department of State Bulletin, vol. 43, July–September 1960
• Brenthurst Foundation, consequences of Somaliland's recognition, 2011