Somaliland Declaration of Independence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Somaliland Declaration of Independence |
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| Created | 5 May 1991 |
| Ratified | 18 May 1991 |
| Location | Burao |
| Authors | Adan Ahmed Diiriye |
| Signers | 17 Somali sultans from Sool, Sanaag, Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer signed the Declaration of Independence of Somaliland |
| Purpose | * Declare the independence of the Republic of Somaliland
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The Somaliland Declaration of Independence is an important historic paper signed on 18 May 1991. Community leaders called sultans made this choice together. These leaders came from the Isaaq, Dhulbahante, Issa, Gadabursi, and Warsangali clans. They joined with a group called the Somali National Movement in the city of Burao. Together, they chose to separate from the Somali Republic to make their own country called the Republic of Somaliland. This special choice helped bring peace to their homeland after many years of difficult fighting during the Somaliland War of Independence.
Contents
History and Background of Somaliland Independence
Long ago, the northern area was known as the British Somaliland Protectorate. The people living there wanted to govern themselves as a free nation. On 26 June 1960, the region officially gained its freedom from the United Kingdom. It took the name State of Somaliland. A nearby territory called the Trust Territory of Somaliland was ruled by Italy. This southern area was also getting ready to become independent just five days later. Leaders in the north hoped all Somali people could live together peacefully in one united land.
On 27 June 1960, lawmakers held a meeting in the northern capital. The Somaliland Legislative Assembly passed a law to unite with the south. A well-known leader named Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal worked as the prime minister during this time. He helped guide the quick transition toward forming a joint government. The southern area had formerly been called Italian Somaliland. Both sides agreed to join together on 1 July 1960. This new united country was named the Somali Republic.
When the State of Somaliland first became independent in June 1960, 35 different nations recognized it. Friendly messages arrived from countries such as China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, and Israel. Other nations like Libya, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States also sent warm greetings. The American Secretary of State sent a letter offering congratulations on this big achievement. British leaders, including Queen Elizabeth, signed official agreements and sent best wishes to the new government.
Challenges After Uniting as the Somali Republic
The union between the two territories faced challenges right from the start. A government formed with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as President and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke as prime minister. Abdullahi Issa served in the government, while Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf led the National Assembly. In July 1961, leaders asked voters to approve a new written constitution through a nationwide referendum. Many northern citizens felt the rules gave too much authority to politicians in the south.
More than 60 percent of northern voters voted against this new constitution. Even so, it became law because many more people lived in the south and approved it. Northerners felt left out of important government choices. In December 1961, some military leaders started the revolt to end the union. This uprising did not succeed. Many northern people still hoped unity could work. Over the following years, a military leader named Siad Barre took control of Somalia. Barre ruled harshly and treated northern communities unfairly, especially after the Ogaden War.
The Somaliland Peace Process Begins
Life under the harsh government became very difficult for northern families. Northern citizens formed the SNM to protect their communities and homes. After years of hardship, the movement managed to take control of the northern area. Instead of continuing to fight, leaders wanted to build lasting peace between all local clans. They invited different groups to sit down and talk peacefully together.
In February 1991, clan elders met for a major conference in the port city of Berbera. Leaders from the Isaaq, Issa, Gadabursi, Dhulbahante, and Warsengali clans joined these talks. The conference helped rebuild trust after years of conflict. Traditional clan elders played a huge role in listening to people and solving arguments. Everyone agreed that northern communities needed to work together to stay safe and rebuild towns.
Signing the Historic Declaration at Burao
The Berbera meetings led to an even bigger gathering called the Grand Conference of the Somaliland Clans. This famous conference took place in the city of Burao between 27 April and 18 May 1991. Clan leaders and movement officers talked carefully about their future. A respected leader named Garad Abdiqani Garad Jama from the Dhulbahante clan suggested that the north should separate completely. The delegates agreed that leaving the union was the safest choice for their people.
On 5 May 1991, the delegates agreed to the text of the declaration. On 18 May 1991, the leaders stood before their people and officially proclaimed independence. They announced that the Republic of Somaliland was reborn as an independent nation. A respected writer named Adan Ahmed Diiriye wrote down the official words. Seventeen important sultans from regions across the country signed the document to show their unity. These regions included Sool, Sanaag, Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, and Togdheer.
Key Goals of the Declaration
The document listed clear goals to guide the new nation toward safety and fairness:
- The northern region should stand on its own feet and no longer follow the southern government.
- The nation will practice traditional laws and Islamic values to ensure justice for all people.
- Leaders must guarantee safety and peace across all parts of the northern land.
- A stable northern government must be built quickly to run public services.
- Government councils and leadership jobs must be shared fairly among all northern clans.
- Security concerns in the region of Sanaag must receive special care through a dedicated committee.
Important Signers of the Document
Seventeen traditional rulers added their names to support the historic agreement:
- Sultan Mohamed Sultan Farah from Woqooyi Galbeed
- Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Yusuf Sheikh Madar, a respected community elder
- Sultan Abdi Sh. Ahamed from Woqooyi Galbeed
- Mahamed Abdiqadir, the Grand Sultan from Woqooyi Galbeed
- Sultan Yusuf Sultan Hirshi from Woqooyi Galbeed
- Sultan Sahardid Sultan Diriye from Woqooyi Galbeed
- Sultan Ismail Muse from Woqooyi Galbeed
- Sultan Rashid Sultan Ali representing Sanaag
- Sultan Ismail Sultan Maxamud from Las Khorey in Sanaag
- Ahmed Shikh Salah from Las Khorey
- Shikh Dahir Haji Hassan representing Sool
- Ahmed Hirsi Awl representing Sool
- Sultan Mahamed Jama representing Awdal
- Shikh Muse Jama representing Awdal
- Hassan Omar Samatar from the coastal town of Zeila
- Mahamed Warsame Shil from Zeila
- Garad Abdiqani Garad Jama representing Sool
- Sultan Ali Muse from Togdheer
Building a New Nation and Government
After the declaration, the people needed a working government to organize schools, hospitals, and basic laws. The leaders chose Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur to serve as the first President of Somaliland. They selected Hassan Isse Jama to be the Vice-President of Somaliland. This team governed for a starting period of two years. They created essential departments to help citizens rebuild their communities after the war.
The first group of leaders included Ahmed Ismail Abdi in the justice department. Other leaders took charge of the foreign affairs, the finance ministry, and the defence department. Dedicated ministers managed public needs through the health ministry, the education ministry, and the planning department. Other offices included the fisheries and livestock departments, the energy office, the public housing office, the commerce department, the communications ministry, and the environment office.
The Borama Conference and Peaceful Elections
In May 1993, clan leaders gathered again for the Borama Conference in western Somaliland. A total of 150 elders attended from the Isaaq, Gadabursi, Dhulbahante, Warsangali, and Issa communities. The delegates worked out a peaceful system where different groups shared power fairly. They established a two-house parliament and an executive leader.
During this peaceful meeting, delegates chose Muhammad Haji Egal as the second president. They also picked Abdirahman Aw Ali Farrah as vice-president. President Egal helped organize police forces, set up a national currency, and open trade routes. Voters later re-elected him in 1997 because of his steady leadership.
The Constitutional Referendum and Borders
To make their laws permanent, leaders wrote a complete constitution for the country. On 31 May 2001, citizens voted in the 2001 Somaliland constitutional referendum. Around 97 percent of voters approved the constitution. This vote showed that northern citizens strongly supported remaining an independent nation. The modern Somali government disagreed with this choice. Even though Somaliland runs its own elections and police, other countries still consider its international status an ongoing debate.
The borders declared in 1991 are the same boundaries created by the United Kingdom in 1884. Somaliland borders Djibouti, Ethiopia, the Gulf of Aden, and Somalia. Today, Somaliland keeps its own parliament, holds regular democratic elections, and prints its own money. The 1991 declaration remains a proud moment of peace and self-reliance for its people.
See Also
- Somali Civil War
- List of international declarations
