Somaliland was deceived by their trusted brothers in Italian Somalia including power sharing. All important projects went to south Somalia without considering the need of Somaliland to development. Only, after two months from the unity, the Somali Landers were disappointed with response from their brothers in South.
After two months from the unity, all Somali Landers clearly understood that they have been deceived by their brothers in Italian Somalia. They understood that power sharing is not been done probably. The capital city and leadership of the country went both to the South and Hargiesa got second capital title. 1st July 1960 unity between British Somaliland and Italian Somalia was signed without preconditions. Michael Maryano and other educated members of Somaliland expressed their willingness to remain independent for at least six months, but the public refused and forced them to hand over the independent to Italian Somalia.
Somaliland’s case for the restoration of the integrity of its former colonial boundaries as at June 26, 1960, when it became the independent state of Somaliland, does not appear to violate the OAU principle of inviolable colonial borders post-independence, despite the fact that on July 1st, 1960, Somaliland legislative members restated unequivocally their wish to merge with Somali South and establish the Somali Republic.
Somaliland had forced the union on the South so precipitately that it paid the price of having to accept a Southern constitution, Capital, Southern head of state, Southern prime minister, assigning themselves all the key portfolios of foreign affairs, Interior, finance, commerce, Attorney general, The president of the national bank and commandants of the armies-all were Southerners.
When was the name Somalia was created? Overwhelming, the majority of parliament had approved and adopted the name SOMALIA on 7th August 1960.
There were two distinct colonial traditions in British Somaliland and Italian Somalia. Despite very different colonial experiences, and no history of interaction, the two regions were ethnically, culturally and linguistically homogeneous and shared a common religion, Islam. This facilitated the decision to merge. The enthusiasm for unity was such that territories with two distinct traditions of colonial administration, historical development, official languages and no commercial ties agreed to unite without any serious negotiations about important political and economic issues, beyond a division of cabinet seats. The failure to negotiate any preconditions and to foresee potential conflict of interest would in time come to haunt the North. They had left different imprints as Professor I.M.Lewis had stated. The mechanics of establishing a unitary administration was daunting.
Written by A.Qoorcadde and Caynawi
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