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Berbera uprising

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1883 revolt by the Habr Awal clan in Somaliland
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Berbera Uprising
Part of Egyptian Invasion of Harar

the Khedivate of Egypt at its peak with northern Somaliland under Egypt
Date1883
LocationBerbera, Khedivate's Somali Coast
Result

Isaaq Victory

Belligerents

Isaaq

Khedivate of Egypt
Khedivate's Somali Coast
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Abd al-Rahman Bey †
Casualties and losses
Unknown Several, including Governor Abd al-Rahman Bey

The Berbera uprising was a revolt by the Habr Awal clan of the Isaaq against the Egyptian administration in the Northern Somali Port city of Berbera in 1883. The rebellion was triggered by the oppressive governance of Abd al-Rahman Bey, the Egyptian governor, whose exploitative policies and injustices inflamed local resentment.

Background

By 1883, Egypt was in economic decline and sought to withdraw its garrisons from outlying territories that were costly to maintain. The withdrawal of Egyptian forces from Berbera, a key port on the Gulf of Aden, coincided with growing interest from European powers such as Britain, France, and Italy in the region.

Governor Abd al-Rahman Bey, described as a "polite and plausible" man, seized Somali property, falsified records, denied justice, and used funds for personal luxury projects. He further angered the Somali populace by photographing women without their consent and disrupting trade by manipulating exchange rates. These actions created widespread unrest.

The uprising

Tensions reached a boiling point when Abd al-Rahman Bey reportedly murdered a Somali man while attempting to rob a caravan. In response, members of the Habar Awal clan rose up in rebellion and killed the governor. The murder of the Egyptian governor and the ensuing unrest forced the Egyptian garrison to reconsider its position in Berbera.

Aftermath

The uprising marked a significant turning point in Berbera's history. Concerns over the Mahdiyya uprising in Sudan and growing instability in Berbera convinced Egypt to expedite its withdrawal from the region. The British, who were increasingly interested in securing trade routes through the Red Sea, would later establish greater influence over Somaliland following Egypt's departure.

References

  1. ^ Fearon, Diana (1963). Notes on the History of Berbera (PDF). Università degli Studi Roma Tre.
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