British Military Administration (Somaliland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
British Military Administration in Somaliland
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| 1941–1950 | |||||||||
 Flag
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| Government | Military administration | ||||||||
| Chief Administrator | |||||||||
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• 1941–1943
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William Scupham | ||||||||
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• 1943–1948
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Denis Wickham | ||||||||
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• 1948
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Eric de Candole | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
| 25 February 1941 | |||||||||
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• End of occupation
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1 April 1950 | ||||||||
| Currency | pound | ||||||||
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The British Military Administration of Somaliland was a period when the British took control of parts of Somalia. This happened during and after World War II.
From 1941 to 1949, the British managed both British Somaliland and the area that used to be Italian Somaliland. After 1949, the United Nations decided that Italy would temporarily manage the former Italian Somaliland again. This was a special arrangement called a United Nations trust territory, which lasted from 1950 until 1960, when Somalia became fully independent.
Contents
Britain Takes Control in Somaliland
During World War II, Britain fought against Italy. As part of this, British forces took over Italian Somaliland. They then managed this area, along with their own British Somaliland, as a single region. This was known as a military administration, meaning the army was in charge.
Over time, Italy wanted its former colony back. At the same time, many Somalis hoped for independence. This led to the British and Somalis seeing each other as partners.
The Rise of Somali Political Parties
In 1943, the first modern Somali political group was formed in Mogadishu. It was called the Somali Youth Club (SYC). Later, its name changed to the Somali Youth League (SYL).
The SYL became the most important political party. It had a moderate way of thinking and was the main group pushing for Somalia's independence. Another party, the Hizbia Digil Mirifle Somali (HDMS), was the main opposition. However, its goals were often similar to the SYL's.
Decisions After the War
In 1945, leaders from major countries met at the Potsdam conference. They decided that Italian Somaliland would not be given back to Italy right away. Instead, it would stay under British Military Administration.
Because these powerful countries couldn't agree on what to do with Italy's former colonies, some Somalis became very unhappy. This led to protests against the old Italian colonial rule. In 1948, these protests turned violent in several coastal towns. Sadly, 24 Somalis and 51 Italians died in these riots. The British Royal Air Force sometimes had to show its strength to calm down unrest.
Somaliland Becomes a UN Trust Territory
In November 1949, the United Nations finally made a decision. They agreed to let Italy manage the former Italian Somaliland again. However, this was under strict rules and close watch.
This decision came with an important condition: Somalia had to become independent within ten years. This idea was first suggested by the Somali Youth League (SYL) and other new Somali political groups. These groups, like the Hizbia Digil Mirifle Somali (HDMS) and the Somali National League (SNL), were actively working for independence.
Somali Hopes for Independence
The Somali Youth League had suggested that the UN should oversee Somalia's path to independence. They wanted the UN to manage all Somali areas, not just the former Italian colony. They also strongly opposed Italy returning to control Somalia.
The SYL believed Britain was making deals with Italy without considering Somali wishes. They campaigned against Italy's return with the slogan, "No matter what the color, a wolf is always a wolf." Many Somalis felt that the decision to put their country back under its former ruler was unfair. They thought the new Trust Territory was set up to benefit Italy, not Somalia.
See also
