Why did Somaliland declare independence?
Introduction
Somaliland separated from Somalia due to a complex set of historical, political, and social factors:
Historical Context
Colonial Legacy: Somaliland was a British protectorate until 1960, while southern Somalia was under Italian rule. This resulted in distinct colonial experiences and administrative systems.
Brief Independence
Somaliland gained independence on June 26, 1960, for five days before voluntarily joining with Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic on July 1, 1960.
Reasons for Separation
Failed Union
The merger with Somalia faced challenges from the beginning
Different Acts of Union were used to unify the two regions.
A 1961 referendum saw widespread rejection of the new constitution in Somaliland, with major cities voting against it.
A failed coup attempt by northern officers in 1961 highlighted early discontent.
Marginalization
Somaliland felt increasingly dominated and marginalized by the south in political and economic matters.
Repression Under Siad Barre
The military dictatorship of Siad Barre, which came to power in 1969, enacted harsh policies against the Isaaq clan, the predominant group in Somaliland.
This led to the formation of the Somali National Movement (SNM) in 1981, which began an armed rebellion against Barre’s regime.
Civil War and Atrocities
The Barre regime’s forces killed tens of thousands of people in Somaliland during the civil war.
Much of Somaliland’s infrastructure was destroyed in the conflict.
Declaration of Independence
Collapse of Central Government
When Siad Barre was ousted in January 1991, Somalia fell into anarchy.
Grand Conference
On May 18, 1991, Somaliland community leaders and the SNM met at the “Grand Conference of the Northern Peoples” in Burao, where they declared independence from Somalia.
Desire for Stability
Somaliland sought to establish peace and rebuild after years of conflict, separate from the ongoing civil war in southern Somalia.
Conclusion
Somaliland’s separation was thus a result of historical differences, failed political integration, years of repression and conflict, and a desire for self-governance and stability in the aftermath of Somalia’s collapse.
