The Timeline of Somalia

By: Andrew C.

The Sultanate of Adel (600s)

During the 600s, Arab tribes explored Somalia and established the Sultanate of Adel on the Aden Coast. The settlement of the tribes brought Islam into the Adel region. This was significant because the majority of Somalians today are Sunni Muslim.

Young Somalian Muslims in the 1930's

Britain takes control of Somalia (1882)

In 1882, Britain started to take interest in the Gulf of Aden because they wanted to safeguard the route to India which ran through the Suez Canal. However, it was not until 1887, that Britain declared it as a protectorate of the British empire. They were the first European power in the region and called it British Somaliland.

A Map of the Horn of Africa

Britain abandons and the Italians takeover (1936)

Throughout Britain's colonial rule, Britain had trouble controlling rebel uprisings. In 1920, the rebels were finally quelled. However, Britain started losing some of their territory to the Italians. And in 1936, Italy merged Italian Somaliland, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. They colonized and called it Italian East Africa.

The green regions represents Italian East Africa

Somalia's road to Independence (1960)

During World War II, the Italians successfully invaded British Somaliland in 1940. However, the British recovered their protectorate a year later. After the World War, Italy had to renounce their territorial possessions but a UN deal was struck which allowed an Italian administration to govern the country in November 1949. Finally, on July 1, 1960, the UN Trusteeship Council merged the British and Italian parts and granted independence.

The Flag of Somalia

Somalia's First President is elected (1960)

Immediately after gaining independence, Aden Abdullah Osman Daar was elected President. In

1963, Somalia severed diplomatic ties with Britain and had hostile border disputes with Ethiopia. Then in 1967, Abdirashid Ali Shermake beats Abdullah Osman Daar in the elections and becomes the 2nd

president. But on October 15, 1969, Shermake was assassinated. Shermake's death triggered a military coup led by Major General Mohammed Siad Barre.

Somalia's 2nd President: Abdirashid Ali Shermarke

Somalia's 1st President: Aden Abdullah Osman Daar

Somalia's 3rd President: Mohamed Siad Barre

Somalia Turns Socialist (1970)

In 1970, Siad Barre took over the government through a military coup. He was immediately declared president bythe Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC). Barre then declared the country a socialist state and nationalized all of the country's industries. Political parties were banned, the national council was abolished and the constituition was suspended.

A Picture of Siad Barre in Socialist Somalia.

Somalia invades Ogaden Region (1977)

In 1977, Somalia invaded the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. They were intially victorious. However, in 1978, with the aid of the USSR and Cuba, the Ethiopians reclaimed the region after Somali troops suffered heavy losses. Barre immediately banished the Soviet advisors and gained the support of the United States. The conflict also caused many refugees to flock into Somalia.

The Ogaden Region

Somalia enters into Civil War (1981)

In 1981, Barre's opposition began to rise. This was because Barre had picked members of his Marehan clan for government positions and had excluded the other clans. Civil unrest started growing and rebels started clashing with government troops. By 1989, the government had lost control of many parts of Somalia except Mogadishu, Hargeysa and Berbera.

A picture of a Somalian soldier attempting to quell the revolution.

Barre is ousted (1990)

By 1989, Barre had started to lose control of the country. By 1990, the insurgent groups had formed a united front against Barre. Finally, in 1991, Barre was forced to leave the capital of Mogadishu and he was granted asylum in Lagos, Nigeria. He eventually died in Lagos in 1995.

Somalian rebels finally immerge victorious.

Somalia attempts to establish transitional government (1991)

After Barre was ousted, the United States and many international agencies flooded Somalia with humanitarian aid and supplies. In 1992, a contigent of UN peacekeeping troops made up of US Marines arrive near Mogadishu. Although Somalia received lots of aid, the country was experiencing a power struggle between warlords. During this time, about 50,000 people were killed and 300,000 died of starvation.

Young Somalians greeting peackeeping forces.

Somaliland Declares independence (1991)

In addition to the power struggles experienced in Somalia, former British Somaliland declares its independence in 1991. Although it has its own curency, legislature and constiuition, Somaliland is not recognized as a republic by the United Nations. Somaliland also struggles with civil unrest and economic stagnation and Southern Somaliland warlords have attempted to overtake the region.

A modern day map of Somalia and Somaliland

Black Hawk Down (1993)

In 1993, US Army Rangers were killed after 2 Blackhawk helicopters were shotdown. The Battle of Mogadishu ensued. A rescue attempt had been planned however, it failed. After the Battle, the United States immediately withdrew from Somalia after 18 Rangers died. The battle also caused many civilian casualties and made the United Nations to retreat.

A picture of the Black Hawk Crew a month before the

Battle of Mogadishu

A US Army Blackhawk flying over Mogadishu

Somalia's 2nd Attempt at establishing a government (2000)

In 2000, a conference was held in Djibouti to help establish a new Somalian central government. The conference was attended by warlords, politicians and clan leaders. After the conference, Abdulkassim Salat Hassan was elected president and Ali Khalif Gelayadh was elected Prime Minister. However the government failed to extend its control beyond Mogadishu.

Former Prime Minister of Somalia: Ali Khalif

Galaydh

Former President of Somalia: Abdulkassim Salat Hassan

Somalia tries again again to form a National Government (2004)

After the failures of the previous government, a mandate was passed that gave power to a new centralized Federal government. Abdullahi Yussuf, who was backed by the Ethiopians, was elected the new president. Then in the December 2004, the tsunami hit the coast of Somalia and killed thousands of Somalians. There have been many attempts to establish a government but they have been proved to be ineffective.

The Effects of the Tsunami in Somalia

A picture parodying the lawlessness that haave

plagued Somalia

Piracy in Somalia (2008)

After numerous attempts at setting up a government, Somalia is left at the state of anarchy. A combination of power struggles, famine, violence and civil unrest have left Somalia in a crippled state. In 2008, pirate activity runs rampant in the Gulf of Aden. Many shipping ships were hijacked and held for ransom. Overfishing off the coast of Somalia is one of the reasons piracy has been on the rise.

Somali Pirates in action

Works Cited

“Somalia Timeline.” Telegraph News. 30 Dec. 2006. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ news/ worldnews/ 1538113/ Somalia-time-line.html>.

“Timeline :Somalia.” Al Jazeera English. 31 Jan. 2009. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://english.aljazeera.net/ news/ africa/ 2009/ 01/ 2009126212443542421.html>.

“Timeline: Somalia.” BBC World News. 2 Feb. 2009. 3 Feb. 2009 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 2/ hi/ africa/ 1072611.stm>.

"Somalia," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008

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