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{{Short description|Nationalist and decolonialist party in Somalia}}
{{Infobox political party {{Infobox political party
| colorcode = {{party color|Somali Youth League}} | colorcode = {{party color|Somali Youth League}}
| founder = ]<ref>{{cite book|last=Mukhtar|first=Mohamed Haji|title=Historical Dictionary of Somalia|date=2003|publisher=Scarecrow Presa|page=20|isbn=978-0-8108-6604-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPwOsOcNy5YC&pg=PA20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Gilbert|first=Paul|title=Beginning Somali History|date=1967|publisher=NTEC Press|page=99|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N2IMAQAAIAAJ&dq=SYC+Abdulkadir+Somali&pg=PA99}}</ref>
| abbreviation = SYL
⚫ | president = ]
| name = Somali Youth League | name = Somali Youth League
| native_name = Ururka Dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed <br/> رابطة الشباب الصومالي <br/> Lega dei Giovani Somali | native_name = Ururka Dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed<br/>𐒚𐒇𐒚𐒇𐒏𐒖 𐒊𐒖𐒐𐒘𐒒𐒕𐒖𐒇𐒖𐒆𐒖 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒜𐒆<br/> رابطة الشباب الصومالي <br/> Lega dei Giovani Somali
| foundation = {{start date|15 May 1943}} | foundation = {{start date|15 May 1943}}
| banned = {{End date|1969}}<ref>{{citation|editor-last= Metz|editor-first = Helen C. |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |chapter=Politics|title=''Somalia: A Country Study''|year=1992|chapter-url= http://countrystudies.us/somalia/72.htm|publisher= ]|location=]|accessdate= April 1, 2013}}</ref> | banned = {{End date|1969}}<ref>{{citation|editor-last= Metz|editor-first = Helen C. |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |chapter=Politics|title=''Somalia: A Country Study''|year=1992|chapter-url= http://countrystudies.us/somalia/72.htm|publisher= ]|location=]|accessdate= April 1, 2013}}</ref>
| headquarters = ], ]<br>] (proposed) | headquarters = ], ]<br>] (proposed)
| ideology = ]<br>]<br>] | ideology = ]<br>]
| colours = {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#FFFFFF|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#348AC9|border=darkgray}} ], ], ] | colours = {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#FFFFFF|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#348AC9|border=darkgray}} ], ], ]
| flag = ] | flag = ]
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}} }}


The '''Somali Youth League''' ('''SYL''') ({{lang-so|Ururka Dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed}}, ]: رابطة الشباب الصومالي, {{lang-it|Lega dei Giovani Somali}} or ''Lega Somala della Gioventù''), initially known as the '''Somali Youth Club''' ('''SYC'''), was the first ] in ]. The '''Somali Youth League''' ('''SYL''', {{langx|so|Ururka Dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed}} {{lang|so|𐒚𐒇𐒚𐒇𐒏𐒖 𐒊𐒖𐒐𐒘𐒒𐒕𐒖𐒇𐒖𐒆𐒖 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒜𐒆}}<!--recognition of Osmanya in article V-D of League constitution, see p. 454 of Abuhakema & Carmichael (2010) at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17531055.2010.517415

League promotion of script on pp. 73-4 of Urbano (2012) thesis at pp https://era.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1842/7756/Urbano2012.pdf-->, ]: رابطة الشباب الصومالي, {{langx|it|Lega dei Giovani Somali}} or ''Lega Somala della Gioventù''), initially known as the '''Somali Youth Club''' ('''SYC'''), was the first ] in ].


It played a key role in the nation's road to ] during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. It played a key role in the nation's road to ] during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
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==History== ==History==


=== British Military Administration === === Somali Youth Club ===
⚫ During the ], ] occupied ] and militarily administered the territory from 1941 to 1950. Under British rule in Somalia The first modern Somali political party, the ''Somali Youth Club'' (SYC), was subsequently established in ] in 1943.
{{Main|British Military Administration (Somali)}}

==== Somali Youth Club ====
⚫ During the ], ] occupied ] and militarily administered the territory from 1941 to 1950. Faced with growing Italian political pressure inimical to continued British tenure and Somali aspirations for independence, the Somalis and the British came to see each other as allies. The first modern Somali political party, the ''Somali Youth Club'' (SYC), was subsequently established in ] in 1943.{{Sfn|Lewis|1961|p=306}} The professed goal of the SYC was to free the Somali masses from decades of colonial ] created with the intent to ] the country.{{Sfn|Hussen|2021|p=50}}


==== Formation of Somali Youth League ==== === Formation of Somali Youth League ===
At its foundation in 1943, the party had thirteen founding members.{{Sfn|Lewis|1961|p=306}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coleman |first1=James|title=Ufahamu |date=1988|publisher=African Activist Association, African Studies Center, University of California|pages=95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gm8pAQAAIAAJ&dq=hawiya&pg=RA1-PA95}}</ref> The ] would become members in 1946 when SYL opened an office in ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barnes |first1=Cedric |title=The Somali Youth League, Ethiopian Somalis and the Greater Somali Idea |journal=Journal of Eastern African Studies |date=2007 |volume=1 |issue=2 |page=285 |doi=10.1080/17531050701452564 |s2cid=143480501 |url=https://www.everythingharar.com/images/pdf/publication/The%20Somali%20Youth%20League,%20Ethiopian%20Somalis%20and%20the%20Greater%20Somali%20Idea,%20C_1946-48.pdf|doi-access=free }}</ref> SYL supported ] with Harar being the capital and a combined Harari-Somali representatives were commissioned to reveal this proposal to the U.N office in Mogadishu.<ref>{{cite book |title=Islamic Reform in Twentieth-Century Africa |date=8 September 2016 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |isbn=9781474414913 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IDZYDwAAQBAJ&q=kulub+harar+somali&pg=PT248}}</ref> Somali Youth League members were significantly influenced by the earlier religious rebellion at the turn of the century of various religious figures such as ], ] and ].{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} At its foundation in 1943, the party had thirteen founding members.{{Sfn|Lewis|1961|p=306}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coleman |first1=James|title=Ufahamu |date=1988|publisher=African Activist Association, African Studies Center, University of California|pages=95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gm8pAQAAIAAJ&dq=hawiya&pg=RA1-PA95}}</ref> Later opened office in mogaishu.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barnes |first1=Cedric |title=The Somali Youth League, Ethiopian Somalis and the Greater Somali Idea |journal=Journal of Eastern African Studies |date=2007 |volume=1 |issue=2 |page=285 |doi=10.1080/17531050701452564 |s2cid=143480501 |url=https://www.everythingharar.com/images/pdf/publication/The%20Somali%20Youth%20League,%20Ethiopian%20Somalis%20and%20the%20Greater%20Somali%20Idea,%20C_1946-48.pdf|doi-access=free }}</ref> SYL supported ] with Harar being the capital and a combined Harari-Somali representatives were commissioned to reveal this proposal to the U.N office in Mogadishu.<ref>{{cite book |title=Islamic Reform in Twentieth-Century Africa |date=8 September 2016 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |isbn=9781474414913 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IDZYDwAAQBAJ&q=kulub+harar+somali&pg=PT248}}</ref> Somali Youth League members were significantly influenced by the earlier religious rebellion at the turn of the century of various religious figures such as ], ] and ].{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}


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,<ref name="Lewisapd">I. M. Lewis, ''A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa'', (LIT Verlag Münster: 1999), p.304.</ref> ] was elected as its secretary general and renamed itself as the Somali Youth League (SYL) and began to open offices not only in Italian and ], but also in the ] and in the ] (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 ] 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 ] (SNL) and National United Front (NUF), mainly associated with the ] clan, and the United Somali Party (USP), which had the support of the ] (]) and ] (] and ]) clans.<ref name="Federal">Federal Research Division, ''Somalia: A Country Study'', (Kessinger Publishing, LLC: 2004), p.38</ref> 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,<ref name="Lewisapd">I. M. Lewis, ''A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa'', (LIT Verlag Münster: 1999), p.304.</ref> ] was elected as its secretary general and renamed itself as the Somali Youth League (SYL) and began to open offices not only in Italian and ], but also in the ] and in the ] (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 ] 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 ] (SNL) and National United Front (NUF), mainly associated with the ] clan, and the United Somali Party (USP), which had the support of the ] (]) and ] (] and ]) clans.<ref name="Federal">Federal Research Division, ''Somalia: A Country Study'', (Kessinger Publishing, LLC: 2004), p.38</ref>
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The Somali Youth League was firmly against Italian return to Somalia in any form, and campaigned against the return of Italian rule with the slogan, ''"No matter what the color, a wolf is always a wolf."{{Sfn|Hussein|2017|p=58}}'' Before the Italians returned to Somalia, the SYL held a major summit in order to formulate a common policy and unified attitude toward the Trusteeship government. It was initially decided to launch an armed resistance, but after serious deliberation the league came to the conclusion that a more temperate course would be better for Somali citizens. Following the summits conclusion the SYL delivered a paper to the chief Italian administrator explaining its position. The League informed the administration that it would continue to agitate for ] and expressed hope that the new government would not resist SYL efforts. It was made clear that the organization was willing to cooperate with the Trusteeship authorities if they reciprocated. The League demanded that ] be made the ] of the Trusteeship instead of ] and further requested that Italian government not bring back officials from the fascist era.''{{Sfn|Hussein|2017|p=79}}'' The Somali Youth League was firmly against Italian return to Somalia in any form, and campaigned against the return of Italian rule with the slogan, ''"No matter what the color, a wolf is always a wolf."{{Sfn|Hussein|2017|p=58}}'' Before the Italians returned to Somalia, the SYL held a major summit in order to formulate a common policy and unified attitude toward the Trusteeship government. It was initially decided to launch an armed resistance, but after serious deliberation the league came to the conclusion that a more temperate course would be better for Somali citizens. Following the summits conclusion the SYL delivered a paper to the chief Italian administrator explaining its position. The League informed the administration that it would continue to agitate for ] and expressed hope that the new government would not resist SYL efforts. It was made clear that the organization was willing to cooperate with the Trusteeship authorities if they reciprocated. The League demanded that ] be made the ] of the Trusteeship instead of ] and further requested that Italian government not bring back officials from the fascist era.''{{Sfn|Hussein|2017|p=79}}''


The first half of AFIS's decade long rule would be marked by animosity and conflict between the Italian authorities and the Somali Youth League. Numerous SYL officials who had gained positions of prominence during the era of ] were either demoted, removed from their positions or imprisoned by Italians officials. These attempts to marginalize the league would lead to demonstrations across the country which were strongly repressed by the government, who had at the time come to decision not cooperate or concede to the SYL's plans.{{Sfn|Petrucci|1993|p=92}}{{Sfn|Lewis|2002|p=140}} The first half of AFIS's decade long rule would be marked by animosity and conflict between the Italian authorities and the Somali Youth League. Numerous SYL officials who had gained positions of prominence during the era of ] were either demoted, removed from their positions or imprisoned by Italians officials. These attempts to marginalize the league would lead to demonstrations across the country which were strongly repressed by the government, who had at the time come to decision not cooperate or concede to the SYL's plans.{{Sfn|Petrucci|1993|p=92}}{{Sfn|Lewis|2002|p=140}}


=== Independence and formation Somali Republic === === Independence and formation Somali Republic ===
{{Main|Somali Republic}} {{Main|Somali Republic}}
British Somaliland remained a protectorate of Britain until June 26, 1960, when it became independent. The former Italian Somaliland followed suit five days later.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica, ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'', (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2002), p.835</ref> On July 1, 1960, the two territories united to form the ], albeit within boundaries drawn up by Italy and Britain.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423014035/http://www.worldsat.ca/image_gallery/ngs/ngs_somalia.html|date=2008-04-23}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116055005/http://www.buluugleey.com/warkiidanbe/Governance.htm|date=2009-01-16}}</ref><ref></ref> A government was formed by ] and ] with ] as the first ] of the Somali Republic,<ref></ref><ref></ref> and ] as ], later to become President (from 1967-1969). On July 20, 1961 and through ], the Somali people ratified a new ], which was first drafted in 1960.<ref>Greystone Press Staff, ''The Illustrated Library of The World and Its Peoples: Africa, North and East'', (Greystone Press: 1967), p.338</ref> British Somaliland remained a protectorate of Britain until June 26, 1960, when it became independent. The former Italian Somaliland followed suit five days later.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica, ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'', (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2002), p.835</ref> On July 1, 1960, the two territories united to form the ], albeit within boundaries drawn up by Italy and Britain.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423014035/http://www.worldsat.ca/image_gallery/ngs/ngs_somalia.html|date=2008-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=}}</ref><ref></ref> A government was formed by ] and ] with ] as the first ] of the Somali Republic,<ref></ref><ref></ref> and ] as ], later to become President (from 1967–1969). On July 20, 1961 and through ], the Somali people ratified a new ], which was first drafted in 1960.<ref>Greystone Press Staff, ''The Illustrated Library of The World and Its Peoples: Africa, North and East'', (Greystone Press: 1967), p.338</ref>


In the ] 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 ] returned to power. However, in the same year, then President of Somalia Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was assassinated.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Grolierenc" /><ref name="Metz3" /><ref name="Pjdlfw" /> In the ] 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 ] returned to power. However, in the same year, then President of Somalia Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was assassinated.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Grolierenc" /><ref name="Metz3" /><ref name="Pjdlfw" />
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===Founders and leaders=== ===Founders and leaders===
The following is a list of the SYL's 13 original The following is a list of the SYL's 13 original
⚫ *]
*Mohamed Jama
* ] * ]
*Dahir Haji Osman Sharmarke (Dhegaweyne) *Dahir Haji Osman Sharmarke (Dhegaweyne)
* Mohamed Hirsi Nur (Seyedin) * Mohamed Hirsi Nur (Seyedin)
⚫ * Haji Mahamed Hussein Hamud
* Aden Isaaq Ahmed (Borama)
⚫ * Haji Mahamed Hussein Mahad
* Osman Geeddi Rage * Osman Geeddi Rage
* Dhere Haji Dhere * Dhere Haji Dhere
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* Mohamed Farah Hilowle * Mohamed Farah Hilowle
* H. Mohamed Abdullahi Hayesi * H. Mohamed Abdullahi Hayesi
* Marwan Osman Mohamed


===Notable members=== ===Notable members===
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*]: July 6, 1967 – October 15, 1969; *]: July 6, 1967 – October 15, 1969;
*]: October 15, 1969 – October 21, 1969 *]: October 15, 1969 – October 21, 1969
*] : July 20, 1967 - December 15, 1982;


;Prime Ministers ;Prime Ministers
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;Presidents of the Somali National Assembly ;Presidents of the Somali National Assembly
*]: July 1, 1960 – mid-July 1960 *] "Zoobe": July 1, 1960 – mid-July 1960
*]: Mid-July 1960 – Mid-July 1960
*]: mid-July 1960 – May 26, 1964 *]: mid-July 1960 – May 26, 1964
*]: May 26, 1964 – 1967 *]: May 26, 1964 – 1967
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*]: Minister of Justice and Religion Affairs *]: Minister of Justice and Religion Affairs
*]: Minister of Economic Affairs *]: Minister of Economic Affairs
*]: Minister of Interior Affairs
*]: Minister of livestock *]: Minister of livestock
*]: Minister of State *]: Minister of State
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*] *]
*] *]
*]
*]


==References== ==References==
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*{{Cite book |last=Hussen |first=Abdulaziz M. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/1302584499 |title=Denial of Independence: How the Four Powers and Italy Setup Somalia For Failure and Dismemberment |publisher= |year=2021 |isbn=9798503523416 |location= |oclc=1302584499}} *{{Cite book |last=Hussen |first=Abdulaziz M. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/1302584499 |title=Denial of Independence: How the Four Powers and Italy Setup Somalia For Failure and Dismemberment |publisher= |year=2021 |isbn=9798503523416 |location= |oclc=1302584499}}
*{{Cite book |last=Ismail |first=Ismail Ali |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/620115177 |title=Governance: The Scourge and Hope of Somalia |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=9781426919800 |location= |oclc=620115177}} *{{Cite book |last=Ismail |first=Ismail Ali |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/620115177 |title=Governance: The Scourge and Hope of Somalia |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=9781426919800 |location= |oclc=620115177}}
*{{Cite book |last=Samatar |first=Abdi Ali |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/952277337 |title=Africa’s First Democrats: Somalia’s Aden A. Osman and Abdirazak H. Hussen |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780253022370}} *{{Cite book |last=Samatar |first=Abdi Ali |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/952277337 |title=Africa's First Democrats: Somalia's Aden A. Osman and Abdirazak H. Hussen |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780253022370}}
*{{Cite book |last=Tripodi |first=Paolo |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/41315365 |title=The Colonial Legacy in Somalia : Rome and Mogadishu : from Colonial Administration to Operation Restore Hope |publisher=St. Martin's Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-312-22393-9 |oclc=41315365}} *{{Cite book |last=Tripodi |first=Paolo |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/41315365 |title=The Colonial Legacy in Somalia : Rome and Mogadishu : from Colonial Administration to Operation Restore Hope |publisher=St. Martin's Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-312-22393-9 |oclc=41315365}}
*{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=I.M. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/50747856 |title=A Modern History of the Somali: Revised, Updated & Expanded |publisher=Ohio University Press |year=2002 |isbn=9780821414958 |edition=4th |oclc=50747856}} *{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=I.M. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/50747856 |title=A Modern History of the Somali: Revised, Updated & Expanded |publisher=Ohio University Press |year=2002 |isbn=9780821414958 |edition=4th |oclc=50747856}}
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] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 06:32, 21 December 2024

Nationalist and decolonialist party in Somalia
Somali Youth League Ururka Dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed
𐒚𐒇𐒚𐒇𐒏𐒖 𐒊𐒖𐒐𐒘𐒒𐒕𐒖𐒇𐒖𐒆𐒖 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒜𐒆
رابطة الشباب الصومالي
Lega dei Giovani Somali
FounderAbdulkadir Sheikh Sakhawudeen
Founded15 May 1943 (15 May 1943)
Banned1969 (1969)
HeadquartersMogadishu, Somalia
Harar (proposed)
IdeologyPan-Somalism
Somali nationalism
Colours    Red, White, Blue
Party flag

The Somali Youth League (SYL, Somali: Ururka Dhalinyarada Soomaaliyeed 𐒚𐒇𐒚𐒇𐒏𐒖 𐒊𐒖𐒐𐒘𐒒𐒕𐒖𐒇𐒖𐒆𐒖 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒜𐒆, Arabic: رابطة الشباب الصومالي, Italian: Lega dei Giovani Somali or Lega Somala della Gioventù), initially known as the Somali Youth Club (SYC), was the first political party in Somalia.

It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

History

Somali Youth Club

During the Second World War, Britain occupied Italian Somaliland and militarily administered the territory from 1941 to 1950. Under British rule in Somalia The first modern Somali political party, the Somali Youth Club (SYC), was subsequently established in Harar in 1943.

Formation of Somali Youth League

At its foundation in 1943, the party had thirteen founding members. Later opened office in mogaishu. SYL supported Greater Somalia with Harar being the capital and a combined Harari-Somali representatives were commissioned to reveal this proposal to the U.N office in Mogadishu. Somali Youth League members were significantly influenced by the earlier religious rebellion at the turn of the century of various religious figures such as Uways al-Barawi, Sheikh Hassan Barsane and Mohammed Abdullah Hassan.

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, Abdullahi Issa was elected as its secretary general and renamed itself as 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) and National United Front (NUF), mainly associated with the Isaaq clan, and the United Somali Party (USP), which had the support of the Dir (Gadabuursi) and Darod (Dulbahante and Warsangali) clans.

Trust Territory of Somaliland

Main article: Trust Territory of Somaliland

In 1945, the Potsdam conference was held, where it was decided not to return Italian Somaliland to Italy. The Somali Youth League had proposed a UN Trusteeship to lead Somalia to independence, under the condition that it was not under Italian administration and that the Trusteeship managed all Somali territories. In a memo to the UN the SYL stated:

"We do not pretend we can stand on our own feet for the moment, but ask the United Nations Trusteeship council to decide questions relating to the formation, boundaries, and administration of a Somali Trust Territory known as Somalia, this territory to consist of all areas present predominantly populated by Somalis."

In November 1949 the United Nations granted Italy trusteeship of the former Italian Somaliland.

The Somali Youth League was firmly against Italian return to Somalia in any form, and campaigned against the return of Italian rule with the slogan, "No matter what the color, a wolf is always a wolf." Before the Italians returned to Somalia, the SYL held a major summit in order to formulate a common policy and unified attitude toward the Trusteeship government. It was initially decided to launch an armed resistance, but after serious deliberation the league came to the conclusion that a more temperate course would be better for Somali citizens. Following the summits conclusion the SYL delivered a paper to the chief Italian administrator explaining its position. The League informed the administration that it would continue to agitate for independence and expressed hope that the new government would not resist SYL efforts. It was made clear that the organization was willing to cooperate with the Trusteeship authorities if they reciprocated. The League demanded that Arabic be made the official language of the Trusteeship instead of Italian and further requested that Italian government not bring back officials from the fascist era.

The first half of AFIS's decade long rule would be marked by animosity and conflict between the Italian authorities and the Somali Youth League. Numerous SYL officials who had gained positions of prominence during the era of British Military Administration were either demoted, removed from their positions or imprisoned by Italians officials. These attempts to marginalize the league would lead to demonstrations across the country which were strongly repressed by the government, who had at the time come to decision not cooperate or concede to the SYL's plans.

Independence and formation Somali Republic

Main article: Somali Republic

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 Abdullahi Issa Mohamud and Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal with Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as the first President of the 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.

1969 Coup d'etat and dissolution

Main article: 1969 Somali coup d'état

In 1969 military coup 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.

Political leaders

Founders and leaders

The following is a list of the SYL's 13 original

Notable members

The following is a list of other notable public officials that emerged from the SYL's ranks:

Presidents
Prime Ministers
Presidents of the Somali National Assembly
Ministers
Parliamentarians
Other

Somali Youth Day

The Somali Youth League's establishment on May 15, 1943 is annually commemorated in Somalia. Official celebrations are organized throughout the country on this Somali Youth Day to honour the SYL's members and their key role in the nation's path to independence. In 2014, government representatives, youth associations, women's groups, singers and local residents celebrated the Somali Youth League's 71st anniversary.

See also

References

  1. Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Presa. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
  2. Gilbert, Paul (1967). Beginning Somali History. NTEC Press. p. 99.
  3. Metz, Helen C., ed. (1992), "Politics", Somalia: A Country Study, Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, retrieved April 1, 2013
  4. Lewis 1961, p. 306.
  5. Coleman, James (1988). Ufahamu. African Activist Association, African Studies Center, University of California. p. 95.
  6. Barnes, Cedric (2007). "The Somali Youth League, Ethiopian Somalis and the Greater Somali Idea" (PDF). Journal of Eastern African Studies. 1 (2): 285. doi:10.1080/17531050701452564. S2CID 143480501.
  7. Islamic Reform in Twentieth-Century Africa. Edinburgh University Press. 8 September 2016. ISBN 9781474414913.
  8. I. M. Lewis, A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa, (LIT Verlag Münster: 1999), p.304.
  9. ^ Federal Research Division, Somalia: A Country Study, (Kessinger Publishing, LLC: 2004), p.38
  10. Drysdale 2000, p. 63-64.
  11. Henry Louis Gates, Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, (Oxford University Press: 1999), p.1749
  12. Hussein 2017, p. 58.
  13. Hussein 2017, p. 79.
  14. Petrucci 1993, p. 92.
  15. Lewis 2002, p. 140.
  16. Encyclopædia Britannica, The New Encyclopædia Britannica, (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2002), p.835
  17. The beginning of the Somali nation after independence Archived 2008-04-23 at the Wayback Machine
  18. The dawn of the Somali nation-state in 1960
  19. The making of a Somalia state
  20. Aden Abdullah Osman the founding father
  21. The founding father of Somalia
  22. Greystone Press Staff, The Illustrated Library of The World and Its Peoples: Africa, North and East, (Greystone Press: 1967), p.338
  23. ^ J. D. Fage, Roland Anthony Oliver, The Cambridge history of Africa, Volume 8, (Cambridge University Press: 1985), p.478.
  24. ^ The Encyclopedia Americana: complete in thirty volumes. Skin to Sumac, Volume 25, (Grolier: 1995), p.214.
  25. ^ Metz, Helen C., ed. (1992), "Coup d'Etat", Somalia: A Country Study, Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, retrieved October 21, 2009.
  26. ^ Peter John de la Fosse Wiles, The New Communist Third World: an essay in political economy, (Taylor & Francis: 1982), p.279.
  27. "SOMALIA: Somali Youth day celebrated in Garowe". Raxanreeb. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

Sources

External links

Political parties in Somalia Somalia
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Former
Puntland
Somaliland (disputed)
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