Somaliland is granted independence by British government

Date: 25 Jun 1960
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Somaliland is granted independence by British government

25 June 1960 marked the end of 73 years of British regime in Somaliland. Fireworks and singing crowds marked the Independence of Somaliland and celebrations continued throughout the night. During celebrations a big electric sign on a hillside carried the message: “Long Live independence.” Mohammed Haji Ibrahim Egal took an Oath on the Quran as Prime Minister of the new nation of Somaliland. Nearly 1 000 British-trained Somali troops were handed over to him by the retiring commandant, Brig. Gen. O. G. Brooks.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Wardheer News(2009), ‘Somali Independence Week, 21 June, [online] Available at https://wardheernews.com [Accessed 27 May 2011]
02Cape Times (1960), ‘Somali gains independence, 27 June 1960, [Available at the National Library of South Africa, Cape Town Campus]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, June 22). Somaliland is granted independence by British government . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065258

South African History Online (2011) 'Somaliland is granted independence by British government ', South African History Online, 22 June. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065258 (Accessed: 25 July 2026).

South African History Online, Somaliland is granted independence by British government [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065258, (accessed 25 July 2026).

"Somaliland is granted independence by British government ." South African History Online, 22 June 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065258. Accessed 25 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Somaliland is granted independence by British government ." South African History Online. June 22, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0065258.