In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, Sharmake Ali, an activist with the UK-Somaliland Alliance and a specialist in Somaliland, provided his insights on the Act of Union between Somaliland and Somalia. Ali argues that the Act of Union was an ‘Italian job’ and illegal and that Somaliland was annexed by Somalia in 1960.
Somaliland’s Independence
Sharmake Ali begins by asserting that Somaliland is the eldest state in the region and that it received its independence on June 26, 1960, before most of its neighbors. “Many international news commentators, including those on channels like Al-Jazeera, are being intellectually dishonest. Somaliland’s case, both legally and morally, is strong. I won’t delve into tribal or emotional arguments, but here are the facts. Somaliland is one of the oldest states in the region, gaining independence on June 26, 1960, before most of its neighboring countries,” he said.
He argues that Ethiopia recognizes this fact and that nothing will change as a result of the recent deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia. “Ethiopia acknowledges this historical fact, indicating that nothing will change,” he added
The Act of Union
Ali then challenges the notion that Somaliland freely chose to join Somalia in the 1960s. He claims that the Act of Union was actually an “Italian job” perpetrated by Somalia Italiano, which passed a completely different Act of Union that rendered the original agreement null and void. “Absolutely not. This is a misconception pushed by the media. The reality is that the union was illegitimate. Somaliland’s Parliament had agreed to a union with Somalia, but Somalia’s Italian administration manipulated the process, passing a different Act of Union, rendering the original agreement null and void, and they did what I call an Italian job.”
British Judge’s Ruling
To support his claim, Sharmake Ali cites a ruling by a British judge in Somalia in 1961. The judge found that he could not sentence British Somaliland soldiers for a coup attempt because there was no ratified Act of Union. Ali argues that this ruling proves that the Act of Union was illegal. “For instance, in 1961, a British judge in Somalia presiding over a case involving British Somaliland soldiers found the union invalid, stating there was no ratified Act of Union,” he said.
Annexation of Somaliland
Sharmake Ali concludes by stating that Somaliland was annexed by Somalia on June 26, 1960. He rejects the idea that Somaliland joined Somalia voluntarily and argues that it was an illegal occupation. “This underscores that the so-called union was an illegal annexation, contrary to what President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud claimed about Somalia’s territory. In truth, Somaliland was annexed on June 26, 1960.”
Implications for the Deal with Ethiopia
Sharmake Ali’s insights on the Act of Union have implications for the recent deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia. If Ali is correct, then Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland could be seen as a re-recognition of Somaliland’s independence rather than a recognition of Somaliland. This could have significant implications for the future of the region.
Speaking about the deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia, Sharmake said, “I think what we’ve seen is that Somaliland and Ethiopia are ready to be pioneers in Africa. They’ve shown Africa and the world that they’re ready to collaborate on a win-win principle to ensure prosperity, peace, and development in the region. They want to show the world that Africans can work together, and by working together, we will achieve our goals and targets, and I think that’s just a matter of fact.”
Conclusion
Sharmake Ali’s insights on the Act of Union provide a different perspective on the history of Somaliland and its relationship with Somalia. His arguments challenge the conventional narrative that Somali politicians have convinced the international community and raise questions about the legality of the union between the two countries. As the situation in the region continues to evolve, it is important to consider all perspectives in order to gain a full understanding of the complex issues involved.
