Italian Somaliland

Italian Somaliland was an Italian colony in the area of present-day Somalia. It included the south and center of the country, while the north as British Somaliland was British colony.

Formation

Having already the German East Africa Company had raised claims to the entire Somali coast between Aluula and Buur Gaabo, the Italians took possession in 1888 by the Somali regions. In December 1888, she signed a protectorate treaty with the Sultan of Hobyo against the Majerteen Sultanate of Bargaal, in April 1889 a protection treaty with the Sultan of Bargaal. 1892 forced Italy, the Sultanate of Zanzibar, to lease the standing on the Somali Benadirküste under sansibarischer supremacy port cities of Mogadishu, Merka, Warsheikh and Baraawe Italy. Kismayo initially fell to British East Africa. 1893 Italy bought the cities of Merka, Warsheikh and Baraawe complete, 1905 finally Mogadishu.

In the first years of Italian Somaliland was managed by private colonial societies that had far-reaching sovereignty. From 1893 to 1895 was responsible for the administration of the Rome-based Filonardi Society, from 1895 to 1905 took over the Benadir Company this task. Because the Benadir Company did not comply with their contractual responsibilities in the fight against slavery, Italy took over the direct administration of the Protectorate.

1908 Mogadishu the capital of the newly established Italian colony. By 1920 the British had put down the anti-colonial uprising of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan in its Somaliland protectorate. 1924/1925 the area Oltre Giuba (including Kismayo ) was transferred from the British Kenya to Italy and in 1926 affiliated to Italian Somaliland.

Population

Especially under Mussolini the Italians pursued a repressive colonial policy. The native population - particularly the Somali Bantu - was forced to do hard labor, lowers the Somali culture. Through Defamation and assimilation of the clan leaders, the traditional clan -based social system should (see clan system of Somali ) are suppressed. The colonial power built bananas, cotton and sugar plantations and founded several settlements. Even Christian missionary attempts have been made and built the Cathedral of Mogadishu in Mogadishu in the Muslim-majority country, but this with little success. The economy was supported with Banca per l' Africa Orientale.

Management

Italian Somaliland was divided into eight police stations, which in turn consisted of three to five regencies. The colonial troops consisted of regular land forces, a Navy command, gendarmerie ( carabinieri ), police and irregular auxiliary troops. Soldiers and NCOs were predominantly Somali Arabs and Eritreans.

Loss

The Italians invaded in 1934 by Somalia and Eritrea from Ethiopia ( Ogaden ) (Italian - Ethiopian War ( 1935-1936 ) ). In 1935, she spun it a her colonial empire and formed from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, the new colony of Italian East Africa. The victorious invading there in 1941 British gave back in 1950 nevertheless Italian Somaliland to Italy as a UN trust territory. On July 1, 1960 Italian Somaliland became independent and joined immediately with the independent for five days British Somaliland to Somalia.

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