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Somalia Italiana Italian Somalia Italian colony 1880s – 1941 → Flag Coat of arms Italian Somaliland Capital Mogadiscio Religion Islam, Roman Catholicism Political structure Colony Historical era Interwar period  - Established 1880s  - Conquered 1941  - British control 1941-49 Currency Italian Lira

Italian Somalia (also known as Italian Somaliland) was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy (Regno d'Italia) from the 1880s until 1942 in the territory of the modern-day Northeast African nation of Somalia. The late 19th century had a huge impact on developments occurring in the Horn of Africa. Though only ever a true colony of Italy for a little over a decade in the early 1900s, both northern and southern Somalia were protectorates of the British, Italian and the French from the late 1880s to 1960. The European powers first gained a foothold in Somalia through the signing of various pacts and agreements with the Sultans that then controlled the region. Their interest in this largely arid country mainly centered around the access its ports granted them to the strategically important Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden.¹ The last piece of land acquired by Italy in Somalia in order to form their Somali Land was the Chisimayu Region, which was earlier controlled by Britain. ¹

Before its campaign in Somalia, a growing social movement developed within Italy to start expanding its influence, since many other European countries had already been doing so effectively leaving Italy behind. There was also a huge shortage in capital and serious economic problems in Italy. ²Cesare Correnti organized an expedition under the Societa Geografica Italiana in 1876. L’Esploratire was established by Manfredo Camperio- a journal of travel in 1877.(colonial legacy 16). Societa di Esplorazioni Commerciali in Africa was created, with the Italian Industrial Establishment involved as well in 1879. Club Africano was established (three years later became Societa Africana D’Italia) in 1879.

It is also argued by some that Italy had a minor interest in the mutton and livestock that were then plentiful in Somalia, though whatever designs Italy may have had on the resource-challenged Somali landscape were undoubtedly subordinate to their interest in the region's ports and the waters and lands they gave access to.³ Italy gained control of various parts of Somalia in the 1880s, and over the following decades Italian settlement was encouraged. In January 26, 1887 Italian troops from Somalia fought a battle against Ras Alula Engida’s militia in Dogali, Eritrea, where they lost 500 troops. The Prime Minister, Agostino Depretis, resigned which was caused by the defeat in July 1887. Prime Minister Francesco Crispi replaced him, and had new plans to create new areas for immigration for Italians. On May 2, 1889 Menelik II, the Emperor of Ethiopia and Italy signed a peace treaty.

Around 1895 Italy launched the disastrous First Italo-Abyssinian War against Ethiopia from its territories in Eritrea and Somalia. In 1905, Italy finally accepted the responsibility into creating a colony in Southern Somalia, after several tries that had failed. ⁴ The administrative regulators were Governor Mercantelli with six subdivisions of Brava, Merca, Lugh, Itala, Bardera, and Jumbo. In April 5, 1908 there was a basic law founded to unite all of the parts of southern Somalia into an area called Somalia Italiana. The power was then divided between the Parliament, Metropolitan government, and the colonial government. Powers of the colonial government was the only power that was changed where the:Civil governor controlled export droits, regulated the rate of exchange, could raise or lower native taxes, and administered all civil services and matters relating to hunting, fishing, and conservation ⁵,Governor was in control of the Police force, while nominating local residents and military arrangements ⁵

In 1920 the Societa Agricola Italo-Somala (SAIS) was founded by the Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi, in order to explore the agricultural potentials of Africa. On December 5, 1923 Fascism came to Somalia through the Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi di Val Cismon. He brought with him forceful ways of colonial rule and ideas. After the collapse of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan’s movement, rebellion and revolt occurred with disputes between different tribes in Northern Somalia. The current government worked together again with the old tribesmen in order to try and keep peace between the several tribes, while maintaining very well control over the military. ⁶

In 1925 the colony in Somalia was extended when Jubaland was acquired from the British colony of Kenya.

In October 1935, the southern front of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War was launched into Ethiopia from Italian Somalia. Italian General Rodolfo Graziani commanded the invasion forces in the south.

In June 1936, after the war ended, Italian Somalia became part of Italian East Africa. The new colony also included Ethiopia and Eritrea. During the East African Campaign, Italy successfully conquered British Somaliland in 1940 but in the Allied counter offensive it lost control over its East African colonies in 1942. Italian Somalia was under British administration until 1949 when it became a United Nations Trust Territory under Italian administration. Somalia became independent in 1960, yet it still continues today with civil wars, trying to finally have a stable government after colonial rule for many years.

Notes

References

• Hess, Robert L. Italian Colonialism in Somalia. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1966.
• Tripodi, Paolo. The Colonial Legacy in Somalia. New York: St. Martin's P Inc,, 1999.
• Fitzgerald, Nina J. Somalia. New York: Nova Science, Inc., 2002.

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