Somali Youth League
Encyclopedia
The Somali Youth League was the first political party in Somalia
. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.
occupied Italian Somaliland
and administered the territory from 1941 to 1950. It was during this period (1943) that the Somali Youth League (SYL) was formed. The SYL succeeded in uniting all Somali clan
s under its flag and led the country to independence. Faced with growing Italian political pressure inimical to continued British tenure and to Somali aspirations for independence, the Somalis and the British came to see each other as allies. The situation prompted British colonial officials to encourage the Somalis to organize politically; the result was the first modern Somali political party, the Somali Youth Club (SYC), established in Mogadishu
in 1943. At its foundation, the party had 13 members: four Darod
, three Reer Xamar
, three Rahanweyn
and one Isaaq
. The group's founding members were significantly influenced by the earlier religious rebellion at the turn of the century of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
(the "Mad Mullah"), including the SYC's first leader, Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke
.
To empower the new party, the better educated police and civil servants were permitted to join it. By 1948, following an official visit to the territory by the Four Power Commission, the SYC was a well-structured political unit, had renamed itself the Somali Youth League (SYL) and began to open offices not only in Italian and British Somaliland
, but also in the Ogaden
and in the Northern Frontier District
(NFD). The SYL's stated objectives were to unify all Somali territories, including the NFD and the Ogaden; to create opportunities for universal modern education; to develop the Somali language
by a standard national orthography; to safeguard Somali interests; and to oppose the restoration of Italian rule. SYL policy banned clannishness so that the thirteen founding members, although representing four of Somalia's five major clans, refused to disclose their clan affiliations. Although the SYL enjoyed considerable popular support from northerners, the principal parties in British Somaliland were the Somali National League (SNL), mainly associated with the Isaaq
clan, and the United Somali Party (USP), which had the support of the Dir
(Gadabuursi
and Issa
) and Darod
(Dulbahante and Warsangali
) clans.
In 1945, the Potsdam conference
was held, where it was decided not to return Italian Somaliland to Italy. The United Nations
opted instead in November 1949 to grant Italy trusteeship of Italian Somaliland, but only under close supervision and on the condition -- first proposed by the SYL and other nascent Somali political organizations that were then agitating for independence, such as the Marehan Union Party, Hizbia Digil Mirifle Somali (HDMS) (which later became Hizbia Dastur Mustaqbal Somali) and the SNL -- that Somalia achieve independence within ten years.
British Somaliland remained a protectorate of Britain until June 26, 1960, when it became independent. The former Italian Somaliland followed suit five days later. On July 1, 1960, the two territories united to form the Somali Republic, albeit within boundaries drawn up by Italy and Britain. A government was formed by Hagi Bashir Ismail, the First President of the independent Somali National Assembly, with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
as the First President of Somali Republic, and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
as Prime Minister
, later to become President (from 1967-1969). On July 20, 1961 and through a popular referendum
, the Somali people ratified a new constitution
, which was first drafted in 1960.
In the first national elections
after independence, held on 30 March 1964, the SYL won an absolute majority of 69 of the 123 parliamentary seats. The remaining seats were divided among 11 parties. Five years from then, in general elections held in March 1969, the ruling SYL led by Mohammed Ibrahim Egal
returned to power. However, in the same year, then President of Somalia Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was assassinated. A military coup quickly ensued, with Siad Barre
now assuming leadership. Barre's Supreme Revolutionary Council
(SRC) subsequently renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic
, arrested members of the former government, banned political parties, dissolved the parliament and the Supreme Court, and suspended the constitution.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.
History
During the Second World War, BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
occupied Italian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland , also known as Italian Somalia, was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy from the 1880s until 1936 in the region of modern-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th century by the Somali Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate, the territory was later acquired by Italy through various...
and administered the territory from 1941 to 1950. It was during this period (1943) that the Somali Youth League (SYL) was formed. The SYL succeeded in uniting all Somali clan
Somali clan
The demographics of Somalia describes the condition and overview of Somalia's inhabitants. Demographic topics include basic education, health and population statistics, as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.-Somalis:...
s under its flag and led the country to independence. Faced with growing Italian political pressure inimical to continued British tenure and to Somali aspirations for independence, the Somalis and the British came to see each other as allies. The situation prompted British colonial officials to encourage the Somalis to organize politically; the result was the first modern Somali political party, the Somali Youth Club (SYC), established in Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
in 1943. At its foundation, the party had 13 members: four Darod
Darod
The Darod is a Somali clan. The father of this clan is named Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, but is more commonly known as Darod. In the Somali language, the word Daarood means "an enclosed compound," a conflation of the two words daar and ood .The Darod population in Somalia lives principally...
, three Reer Xamar
Benadiri people
The Benadiri people , also known as Reer Xamar or "people of Mogadishu", are an ethnic group in Somalia.-Overview:The Benadiri traditionally live in Mogadishu, Merca and Barawa on the Benadir coast, and are principally engaged in business and fishing...
, three Rahanweyn
Rahanweyn
The Rahanweyn is a Somali clan, composed of two major sub-clans, the Digil and the Mirifle. It makes up about 17% of the population of Somalia, and is one of the five major Somali clans residing in the Horn of Africa.-Overview:The Digil sub-clan mainly consists of farmers and coastal people, while...
and one Isaaq
Isaaq
The Isaaq is one of the main Somali clans. Members of the clan principally live in the northwestern Somaliland region of Somalia, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The populations of five major cities of Somaliland – Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera, Ceerigaabo and Gabiley – are predominantly Isaaq...
. The group's founding members were significantly influenced by the earlier religious rebellion at the turn of the century of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
Sayyīd Muhammad `Abd Allāh al-Hasan was a Somali religious and patriotic leader...
(the "Mad Mullah"), including the SYC's first leader, Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke
Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke
-History:Sharmarke was born to a Majerteen Darod family.He was the leader of the Somali Youth League , Somalia's first political party. Having also been instrumental in the organization's creation, Sharmarke and other early SYL nationalists were strongly influenced by the religious rebellion at the...
.
To empower the new party, the better educated police and civil servants were permitted to join it. By 1948, following an official visit to the territory by the Four Power Commission, the SYC was a well-structured political unit, had renamed itself the Somali Youth League (SYL) and began to open offices not only in Italian and British Somaliland
British Somaliland
British Somaliland was a British protectorate in the northern part of present-day Somalia. For much of its existence, British Somaliland was bordered by French Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland. From 1940 to 1941, it was occupied by the Italians and was part of Italian East Africa...
, but also in the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
and in the Northern Frontier District
North Eastern Province (Kenya)
North Eastern Province is the third largest province in Kenya and has thirteen constituencies represented in the Kenya National Assembly.The region is home to a rare type of antelope called the Hirola, which is classified as an endangered species. The NFD's pastoralists also possess livestock in...
(NFD). The SYL's stated objectives were to unify all Somali territories, including the NFD and the Ogaden; to create opportunities for universal modern education; to develop the Somali language
Somali language
The Somali language is a member of the East Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Its nearest relatives are Afar and Oromo. Somali is the best documented of the Cushitic languages, with academic studies beginning before 1900....
by a standard national orthography; to safeguard Somali interests; and to oppose the restoration of Italian rule. SYL policy banned clannishness so that the thirteen founding members, although representing four of Somalia's five major clans, refused to disclose their clan affiliations. Although the SYL enjoyed considerable popular support from northerners, the principal parties in British Somaliland were the Somali National League (SNL), mainly associated with the Isaaq
Isaaq
The Isaaq is one of the main Somali clans. Members of the clan principally live in the northwestern Somaliland region of Somalia, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The populations of five major cities of Somaliland – Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera, Ceerigaabo and Gabiley – are predominantly Isaaq...
clan, and the United Somali Party (USP), which had the support of the Dir
Dir
-Acronyms:* Detroit International Riverfront, an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River* Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based approach, a developmental intervention to autism developed by Stanley Greenspan and Serena Weider....
(Gadabuursi
Gadabuursi
The Gadabuursi , also known as Samaroon, is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Dir.Most Gadabuursi members are descendants of Sheikh Samaroon...
and Issa
Issa (clan)
The Issa are a Somali clan, a sub-clan of the Dir. The Issa primarily reside in Djibouti, the extreme northwestern fringe in the Awdal district of Somaliland in northern Somalia, as well as the Shinile Zone located in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.-Lineage:...
) and Darod
Darod
The Darod is a Somali clan. The father of this clan is named Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, but is more commonly known as Darod. In the Somali language, the word Daarood means "an enclosed compound," a conflation of the two words daar and ood .The Darod population in Somalia lives principally...
(Dulbahante and Warsangali
Warsangali
The Warsangeli , is a Somali clan, part of the Harti confederation of Darod sub-clans...
) clans.
Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany, from 16 July to 2 August 1945. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States...
was held, where it was decided not to return Italian Somaliland to Italy. The United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
opted instead in November 1949 to grant Italy trusteeship of Italian Somaliland, but only under close supervision and on the condition -- first proposed by the SYL and other nascent Somali political organizations that were then agitating for independence, such as the Marehan Union Party, Hizbia Digil Mirifle Somali (HDMS) (which later became Hizbia Dastur Mustaqbal Somali) and the SNL -- that Somalia achieve independence within ten years.
British Somaliland remained a protectorate of Britain until June 26, 1960, when it became independent. The former Italian Somaliland followed suit five days later. On July 1, 1960, the two territories united to form the Somali Republic, albeit within boundaries drawn up by Italy and Britain. A government was formed by Hagi Bashir Ismail, the First President of the independent Somali National Assembly, with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
Aden Abdulle Osman Daar , popularly known as Aadan Cadde, was a Somali politician and the country's first President from July 1, 1960 to June 10, 1967.-Biography:...
as the First President of Somali Republic, and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President of Somalia from June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969...
as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Somalia
This page contains a list of the Prime Ministers of Somalia.-Prime Ministers of Somalia :-Affiliations:*SYL - Somali Youth League*SNL - Somali National League...
, later to become President (from 1967-1969). On July 20, 1961 and through a popular referendum
Somali constitutional referendum, 1961
A constitutional referendum was held in Somalia on 20 June 1961 to vote on the new constitution for the country created the previous year by the union of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland. It was approved by 90.56% of voters.-Results:...
, the Somali people ratified a new constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
, which was first drafted in 1960.
In the first national elections
Somali parliamentary election, 1964
Parliamentary elections were held in Somalia on 30 March 1964. They were the first elections since the merger of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland created Somalia in 1960. After the union, the two territory's parliaments had merged, retaining the same number of seats as in the elections in...
after independence, held on 30 March 1964, the SYL won an absolute majority of 69 of the 123 parliamentary seats. The remaining seats were divided among 11 parties. Five years from then, in general elections held in March 1969, the ruling SYL led by Mohammed Ibrahim Egal
Ibrahim Egal
Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal was a Somali politician. He was president of the self-proclaimed but internationally unrecognized Republic of Somaliland in northern Somalia...
returned to power. However, in the same year, then President of Somalia Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was assassinated. A military coup quickly ensued, with Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
now assuming leadership. Barre's Supreme Revolutionary Council
Supreme Revolutionary Council (Somalia)
The Supreme Revolutionary Council was the governmental body that ruled Somalia for most of the period from 1969-1991.-History:On October 15, 1969, while paying a visit to the northern town of Las Anod, Somalia's then President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards...
(SRC) subsequently renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic
Somali Democratic Republic
The Somali Democratic Republic was the name that the communist regime of former President of Somalia Major General Mohamed Siad Barre gave to Somalia after seizing power during a bloodless coup d'état in 1969...
, arrested members of the former government, banned political parties, dissolved the parliament and the Supreme Court, and suspended the constitution.
Presidents
- Aden Abdullah Osman DaarAden Abdullah Osman DaarAden Abdulle Osman Daar , popularly known as Aadan Cadde, was a Somali politician and the country's first President from July 1, 1960 to June 10, 1967.-Biography:...
: January 07, 1960 – June 10, 1967 - Abdirashid Ali ShermarkeAbdirashid Ali ShermarkeAbdirashid Ali Shermarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President of Somalia from June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969...
: June 10, 1967 – October 15, 1969
Prime Ministers
- Abdullahi IssaAbdullahi IssaAbdullahi Issa Mohamud was the first Prime Minister of Somalia from February 29, 1956 to July 1, 1960.-Biography:Issa was born in Somalia in 1922 to a Habar Gidir Hawiye family. When the Second World War broke out, he was still a student...
: February 29, 1956 - July 12, 1960 - Abdirashid Ali ShermarkeAbdirashid Ali ShermarkeAbdirashid Ali Shermarke was Prime Minister of Somalia from July 12, 1960 to June 14, 1964, and President of Somalia from June 10, 1967 until his assassination on October 15, 1969...
: July 12, 1960 - June 14, 1964 - Abdirizak Haji HusseinAbdirizak Haji HusseinAbdirizak Haji Hussein was Prime Minister of Somalia from 14 June 1964 to 15 July 1967.-Biography:Hussein was born in 1924 to a Majerteen Darod family in Galkacyo, the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia...
: June 14, 1964 - July 15, 1967 - Muhammad Haji Ibrahim EgalIbrahim EgalMohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal was a Somali politician. He was president of the self-proclaimed but internationally unrecognized Republic of Somaliland in northern Somalia...
: July 15, 1967 - November 1, 1969
SYL leaders
- Xaaji Bashiir Ismaaciil YuusufHaji Bashir Ismail YusufHaji Bashir Ismail Yusuf , also spelled Hagi Bashir Ismail Yousuf, was a Somali politician.-History:Yusuf was born in 1912 in the town of Hobyo, situated in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia....
- Haji Dirie HirsiHaji Dirie HirsiHaji Dirie Hirsi , , was a Somali trader and businessman who contributed to the founding of the Somali Youth League in 1942-1945.-Biography:Haji Dirie established the first Somali school in 1938...
- Mohamed Ossoble Adde
- Xaaji Maxamed Xuseen
- Maxamed Xirsi Nuur (Siidii)
- Cabdulqaadir Sakhaawadiin
- Cusmaan Geeddi Raage
- Dheere Xaaji Dheere
- Daahir Xaaji Cusmaan (Dhegaweyne)
- Yasin Xaahi Cusman
- Cali Xasan Cali Maslax (Cali Verduro)
- Maxamed Cali Nuur
- Maxamed Faarax Hilowle
- X. Maxamed Cabdulaahi Xayeesi
- Huudow Macalin Cabdulaahi Saalax
- Maxamed Cusmaan Baarbe
- Cali Shiddo Cabdi
See also
- History of Somalia
- Somali African National UnionSomali African National UnionSomali African National Union was an early political party in Somalia. It represented the coastal Banadir region.-Parliamentary elections:...
- List of political parties in Somalia