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State of Somaliland

1960 short-lived state in the Horn of Africa

Field	Value
native_name	so
(Arabic)
ar
conventional_long_name	State of Somaliland
common_name	Somaliland
status	sovereign
Independent state
event_start	Independence from the United Kingdom
year_start	1960
date_start	26 June
event_end	Unification with the Trust Territory of Somaliland to form the Somali Republic
year_end	1960
date_end	1 July
area_land_footnote
p1	British Somaliland
flag_p1	Flag of British Somaliland (1950–1952).svg
s1	Somali Republic
flag_s1	Flag of Somalia.svg
image_flag	Flag of Somalia.svg
flag	Flag of Somaliland
national_anthem	National anthem of Somaliland
image_map	State of Somaliland (orthographic projection).svg
image_map_caption	Location of Somaliland
capital	Hargeisa
government_type	Unitary parliamentary republic
leader_title1	Prime Minister
leader_name1	Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal
legislature	Legislative Assembly
common_languages	Somali
English
religion	Sunni Islam
currency	East African shilling
today	Somalia
Somaliland
demonym	Somali
population_estimate_year	1960
area_rank	69th
population_estimate	650,000
area_km2	176120
life_span	1960

Note

the independent country established on 26 June 1960

(Arabic) ar Independent state English Somaliland

Somaliland, officially the State of Somaliland (), was a sovereign and independent country that existed for five days in 1960. It gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 June 1960 and on 1 July 1960, together with the Trust Territory of Somaliland which gained independence from Italy and ended its UN trusteeship under Italian administration on the same day, they formed the Somali Republic.

History

Initially the British government planned to delay the protectorate of British Somaliland independence in favour of a gradual transfer of power. The arrangement would allow local politicians to gain more political experience in running the protectorate before official independence. However, strong pan-Somali nationalism and a landslide victory in the earlier elections encouraged them to demand independence and unification with the Trust Territory of Somaliland under Italian Administration.

The British stated that it would be prepared to grant independence to the then protectorate of British Somaliland, with the intention that the territory would unite with the Trust Territory of Somaliland. The Legislative Council of British Somaliland passed a resolution in April 1960 requesting independence and union with the Trust Territory of Somaliland, which was scheduled to gain independence on 1 July that year. The legislative councils of both territories agreed to this proposal following a joint conference in Mogadishu.

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 Somaliland.

On 26 June 1960, the former British Somaliland protectorate obtained independence as Somaliland. The following day, on 27 June 1960, the newly convened Somaliland Legislative Assembly passed a bill that would formally allow for the union of Somaliland with the Trust Territory of Somaliland, which was set for independence on 1 July 1960.

There were also fears of clashes with populations in Ethiopia.

Following unification on 1 July 1960, a government was formed by Abdullahi Issa, with Abdulcadir Muhammed Aden 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 20 July 1961, and through a popular referendum, the Somali people ratified a new constitution, which was first drafted in 1960. 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, 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.

Diplomatic recognition

During its existence, Somaliland received international recognition from 33 countries, that included the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya and the Soviet Union.

Queen Elizabeth II sent the following message to the people of Somaliland to mark independence day:

The United States Secretary of State Christian Herter sent a congratulatory message, and the United Kingdom signed several bilateral agreements with Somaliland in Hargeisa on June 26, 1960.

United States Secretary of State Christian Herter sent the following letter:

::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.}} ## Governance ### Constitution of Somaliland The system of governance for Somaliland was established by the Constitution of Somaliland which was enacted by the Somaliland Order in Council 1960 (SI 1960/1060) made by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on 23 June 1960. The Order in Council explicitly stated that "Somaliland shall become an independent country on the 26 day of June, 1960" and that British protection over Somaliland would lapse on the same date. The introduction to the constitution defined Somaliland's territory as being all the territory of the British Somaliland Protectorate. The constitution established three branches of government following the Westminster system: - The Council of Ministers which was led by the Prime Minister and included four other ministers. - The Legislative Assembly which had 34 members and was presided over by a Speaker. - The High Court which was made up of a number of Judges determined by the Council of Ministers. ### Prime Minister of Somaliland Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal was the first and only holder of the office. ::data[format=table] | No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Election | Term of office | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | 1 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | [[File:Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal 1968.jpg|80px]] | Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal (1928 – 2002) | [1960](1960-british-somaliland-parliamentary-election) | 26 June 1960 | 1 July 1960 | | | | | :: ### Somaliland Council of Ministers The Council of Ministers had five members: ::data[format=table] | Name | Designation | |---|---| | Mohamed Ibrahim Egal | Prime Minister | | Garad Ali Garad Jama | Minister | | Ahmed Hajji Duale | Minister | | Hajji Yusuf Iman | Minister | | Hajji Ibrahim Nur | Minister | :: ### Somaliland Legislative Assembly ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/The_First_Parliament_of_Somaliland_1960.jpg" caption="Members of the Legislative Assembly elected in February 1960"] :: The Somaliland Legislative Assembly had 33 members (MLAs), including an ex-officio Speaker. Members of the legislative assembly were elected in [February 1960](1960-british-somaliland-parliamentary-election) from 33 single-member constituencies. ::data[format=table] | Party | MLAs | |---|---| | Somali National League | 20 | | National United Front | 1 | | United Somali Party | 12 | | Speaker | 1 | | **Total** | **34** | :: ## Use as a legal precedent for the Republic of Somaliland Today's re-established Republic of Somaliland functions as a de facto independent state and regards itself as the legal successor to the State of Somaliland. However, unlike the former State of Somaliland, it has not gained widespread diplomatic recognition as a country, instead being treated as an autonomous region within Somalia. As of 26 December 2025, Israel is the only United Nations member state that recognises the Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state. ## References ### Works cited - {{Cite book ## References 1. Lansford, Tom. (2015-03-24). ["Political Handbook of the World 2015"](https://books.google.com/books?id=yNGfBwAAQBAJ&pg=PT5625). *CQ Press*. 2. (2003). ["SOMALILAND: DEMOCRATISATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS 28 July 2003"](https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/28746/066%20somaliland%20democratization_.pdf). *International Crisis Group*. 3. ["Agreements and Exchanges of Letters"](http://www.somalilandlaw.com/Treaties_between_the_UK_and_the_State_of_Somaliland_1960.pdf). 4. (1960). ["Statutory Instruments"](https://books.google.com/books?id=fI1QAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1279). *H.M. Stationery Office*. 5. ["Somalia"](https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Somalia.html). 6. [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Somalia.html Somalia] 7. ["Agreements and Exchanges of Letters"](http://foto.archivalware.co.uk/data/Library2/pdf/1960-TS0044.pdf). 8. ["Central Intelligence Bulletin 26th Feb 1960"](https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP79T00975A004900470001-6.pdf). 9. ["Somali Independence Week"](http://wardheernews.com/Articles_09/June/Roobdoon_Forum/29_Independence_week_series.html). 10. Paolo Contini, ''The Somali Republic: an experiment in legal integration'', (Routledge, 1969), p.6. 11. Encyclopædia Britannica, ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'', (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2002), p.835 12. (1960-06-26). ["Somaliland Marks Independence After 73 Years of British Rule"](http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00A10FB395A1A7A93C4AB178DD85F448685F9). *The New York Times*. 13. Greystone Press Staff, ''The Illustrated Library of The World and Its Peoples: Africa, North and East'', (Greystone Press: 1967), p.338 14. Benjamin R. Farley. "Calling a State a State: Somaliland and International Recognition". *[[Emory International Law Review]]*. 15. ["Somaliland: The Little Country that Could"](http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/anotes_0211.pdf). 16. ["Biyokulule Online"](http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=1987). 17. (1960). ["The Department of State Bulletin"](https://books.google.com/books?id=wGr93ezMNdUC&dq=Secretary+of+State+Herter+sent+a+congratulatory+message+dated+June+26+to+the+Somaliland+Council+of+Ministers&pg=PA87). 18. ["Biyokulule Online"](http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=1987). 19. ["Read the eBook Department of State bulletin (Volume v. 43, Jul- Sep1960) by United States. Dept. of State. Office of Public Co online for free (page 25 of 100)"](https://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). 20. ["Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Africa, Volume XIV - Office of the Historian"](https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1958-60v14/d62). 21. ["THE BRENTHURST FOUNDATION Strengthening Africa's economic performance AFRICAN GAme ChANGeR? The Consequences of Somaliland's International (Non) Recognition <blockquote>This list includes China (Republic of ), Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom, and the United States.</blockquote>"](http://www.thebrenthurstfoundation.org/Files/Brenthurst_Commisioned_Reports/BD-1105_Consequences-of-Somalilands-International-Recognition.pdf). 22. (1960). ["The Department of State Bulletin"](https://books.google.com/books?id=wGr93ezMNdUC&dq=Secretary+of+State+Herter+sent+a+congratulatory+message+dated+June+26+to+the+Somaliland+Council+of+Ministers&pg=PA87). 23. ["Brief history about somaliland constitutions"](https://www.academia.edu/2916544). 24. (1960). ["Statutory Instruments"](https://books.google.com/books?id=fI1QAQAAIAAJ). 25. ["Report of the Somaliland Protectorate Constitutional Conference"](https://saxafimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Somaliland_constitutional_conference_may1960.pdf). 26. ["Somaliland Constitution 1960"](http://www.somalilandlaw.com/somaliland_constitution_1960.HTM). 27. (26 June 2019). ["Somaliland's 26th June 1960, 86 years of protectorate comes to end"](https://somalilandstandard.com/somalilands-26th-june-1960-86-years-of-protectorate-comes-to-end/). 28. (26 June 2019). ["Somaliland's 26th June 1960, 86 years of protectorate comes to end"](https://somalilandstandard.com/somalilands-26th-june-1960-86-years-of-protectorate-comes-to-end/). 29. [[Dolf Sternberger]], [[Bernhard Vogel (politician). Bernhard Vogel]], Dieter Nohlen & Klaus Landfried (1978) ''Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Zweiter Halbband'', p1926 30. (26 June 2019). ["Somaliland's 26th June 1960, 86 years of protectorate comes to end"](https://somalilandstandard.com/somalilands-26th-june-1960-86-years-of-protectorate-comes-to-end/). 31. (1960-06-26). ["Somaliland Marks Independence After 73 Years of British Rule"](http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00A10FB395A1A7A93C4AB178DD85F448685F9). *The New York Times*. 32. (2010-07-23). ["How Britain said farewell to its Empire"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10740852). *BBC News*. 33. Lacey, Marc. (2006-06-05). ["The Signs Say Somaliland, but the World Says Somalia"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/05/world/africa/05somaliland.html). *New York Times*. 34. (2004-02-01). ["The Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic"](http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/countries/docs/charterfeb04.pdf). *[[University of Pretoria]]*. 35. (26 December 2025). ["Israel becomes first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent state"](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-recognises-somaliland-somalias-breakway-region-independent-state-2025-12-26/). *[[Reuters]]*. ::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Somaliland) and is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the [article history page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Somaliland?action=history). ::

1960-in-somaliland short-lived-countries states-and-territories-established-in-1960 states-and-territories-disestablished-in-1960 political-history-of-somaliland

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