Somali Republic
Somalia, 1960–1969. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Somali Republic was formed by the union of the Italian territory of Somaliland (formerly Italian Somaliland) and the State of Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland). On 1 July 1960, the State of Somaliland unified with the Trust Territory of Somaliland, forming the Somali Republic. Aden Abdullah Osman Daar became President of the Somali Republic, and on 22 July 1960 appointed Abdirashid Ali Shermarke as the first prime minister. The administration lasted until 1969, when the Supreme Revolutionary Council seized power in a bloodless coup and renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic.
Seat of power: Mogadishu
Rulers
Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
President of Somalia, 1960–1967
Aden Adde served as the first president of the Somali Republic from 1 July 1960 to 6 July 1967. After losing the 1967 presidential election to Abdirashid Ali Shermarke, Aden Adde peacefully relinquished office to his elected successor, becoming the first African leader to voluntarily give up the presidency after losing an election.
Portrait of Aden Abdullah Osman Daar: Somalia Government, Public domain, file
Abdirashid Ali Shermarke
President of Somalia, 1967–1969
Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was the first Prime Minister of the Somali Republic from 12 July 1960 to 14 June 1964 and the second President from 6 July 1967, until his assassination on October 15, 1969.
Portrait of Abdirashid Ali Shermarke: Government of Somalia, Public domain, file
Culture
- Popular demand compelled the leaders of Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland to proceed with plans for immediate unification.
- On 20 July 1961 and through a popular referendum, Somalia ratified a new constitution, which was first drafted in 1960. The new constitution was rejected by Somaliland.
- Abdirashid Shermarke, the 2nd president of Somalia, was assassinated outside the municipal headquarters of Las Anod in Northern Somalia on 15 October 1969.
Picture
Aden Abdulle Osman Da'ar, popularly known as Aden Adde, served as the first president of the Somali Republic from 1 July 1960 to 6 July 1967.
Image: Somalia Government, Public domain, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.