Introduction
As most Somalis have learned in the field of education, before they have the opportunity to study they experience every year two days in northern and southern Somalia (Independence Day).
1960 / June 26 The independence of the northern regions from British colonial rule, before it gained independence (British Somaliland).
In the same year, 1960 / July / 01, southern Somalia gained independence from Italian rule.
History of Colonials in Somalia
So, reader, apart from the fact that the northern and southern regions gained their independence in 1960, what else happened before that year?
Most Somalis, especially the current generation, are aware of what happened in the 1960s alone without any further details on the pre-1960 lesson.
In the 19th century when the colonists agreed on the signs of colonialism in Africa.
It was decided at a conference in Berlin to divide the land in Africa to reduce the conflict between the colonial prisons, and the division of Africa also included Somali territory divided into northern and southern Somalia.
The division of Somali territory was not only the two parts but also the third part of Djibouti which was taken over by the French colonialists.
Western Somalia was also colonized by the annexation of Ethiopian territory, which is still under Ethiopian rule, while the area known as the NFD became part of Kenya.
This was the division of Somali territory, and it is clear that Somali territory is currently divided into five parts, not just Somalia and Somaliland.
During World War II, the Italians invaded the northern territories under British rule, and eventually the Italian invasion, where they withdrew.
In Somalia in the late 19th century, with the opening of the Suez Canal, the colonies discovered that Somalia was at the heart of maritime traffic between Africa and Asia.
As a result, the three largest colonies in Africa divided Somali territory into Italian, British and French.
It is noteworthy that each of them had a sea route that would allow them to travel between the two continents of Africa and Asia and that they could land whatever they used to bring from Europe.
Goals of Colonials in Somalia
The goal of the colony was not only to grant independence to its territories, including the Somali territories, but also to indirectly control the territories they occupied even if they gained independence.
In this article you read about the hours before 1960 until independence, we are also aware of the interference in Somali territory.
The self-proclaimed fighters of the Somali territories did not aim to liberate the lands they knew they (Somalis) owned but to liberate them mentally, physically, and ideologically from the colonialists who occupied the Somali territories.
Finally we celebrate our independence every year in 1960, it is worth asking today whether we are mentally and ideologically free from foreign colonialism?
\”The quest for freedom is not just for the soul, it is for the mind.\”
The End
Photo Credit: Reddit
A/W: Majid Hussein
