Somali Sultan's 100-Year British Treaty

The Isaaq Sultanate's Treaty: A 100-Year Agreement On February 27, 1884, Sultan Deria Hassan signed a treaty with the British in Zeila, a port city in present-day Djibouti. This treaty marked the beginning of a century-long agreement between the Isaaq Sultanate and the British. Historian Said Sheikh Samatar notes that Sultan Deria Hassan's decision to sign the treaty was largely driven by the need to secure protection from neighboring clans.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Isaaq Sultanate's treaty with the British was a straightforward agreement that gave the British control over the region's trade and commerce. The standard story goes that the treaty was imposed on the Isaaq Sultanate by the British, with little input or resistance from the Somali sultan. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex historical context surrounding the treaty.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Ioan Lewis argues that the Isaaq Sultanate's treaty with the British was a calculated move by Sultan Deria Hassan to maintain his power and influence in the region. On December 9, 1885, the British government formally recognized the Isaaq Sultanate as a sovereign state, with Sultan Deria Hassan as its ruler. According to the treaty, the British would provide the Isaaq Sultanate with protection and support in exchange for control over the region's foreign affairs. The treaty also granted the British access to the Isaaq Sultanate's ports and trade routes, which became a crucial factor in the British colonization of East Africa. Historian Mark Bradshaw notes that the treaty was renegotiated on January 11, 1894, with the British agreeing to provide the Isaaq Sultanate with financial support and military aid. The treaty remained in effect for nearly 100 years, with the Isaaq Sultanate maintaining a degree of autonomy and independence despite being under British protection. As historian Said Sheikh Samatar points out, the treaty was a pragmatic decision by Sultan Deria Hassan to ensure the survival and prosperity of his kingdom in a rapidly changing world. On June 26, 1960, the Isaaq Sultanate finally gained its independence from British rule, marking the end of the 100-year treaty.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the British Museum and the Somali National University made deliberate decisions to downplay the significance of the Isaaq Sultanate's treaty, ensuring it received minimal attention in academic circles. The British government, particularly the Foreign Office, also played a role in suppressing the story by classifying related documents and restricting access to them. One concrete reason this history was not told is that the treaty's terms were negotiated in secret, and the resulting agreement was never fully disclosed to the public, making it difficult for researchers to uncover the details. Additionally, the Somali government, after gaining independence, focused on promoting a narrative of resistance to colonial rule, rather than highlighting the complexities of the Isaaq Sultanate's relationship with the British. As a result, the story of the treaty was relegated to the footnotes of history, with scholars like Dr. Said Sheikh Samatar being among the few to attempt to bring it to light.

The Ripple Effect

The treaty had direct consequences for the people living in the Isaaq Sultanate, as it led to the imposition of British colonial administration and the extraction of natural resources, which disrupted traditional ways of life. The Somali people were affected by the treaty, as it limited their autonomy and led to the erosion of their cultural heritage. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Somaliland border dispute, which remains a contentious issue to this day, with the legacy of the treaty continuing to influence the region's politics.

The Line That Says It All

The Isaaq Sultanate's treaty with the British remained in effect for 100 years, until it was finally superseded by the Somali independence agreement in 1960.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Isaaq Sultanate and British colonial rule in Somalia.