Somaliland History Notes: Agreements and Exchanges of Letters in connection with the Attainment of Independence by Somaliland Part 4

In its haste, perhaps, to rush into an ill-thought of union of Italian Somalia, the ‘Government of Somaliland’ forfeits critical post-independence support that the United Kingdom of Britain offered:  Public works, support for six months, etc.

Read the Exchange of letters below!

Treaty Series No. 44 (1960)

Exchange of Letters providing that, should the Government of Somaliland be a party to any agreement transferring jurisdiction over the territory of Somaliland to any other Government, such agreement should provide that the obligations of the Government of Somaliland in respect of  certain specified instruments are transferred to that other Government

No. 1

Mr. T. E. Bromley to the Members of the Council of Ministers of Somaliland

British Consulate-General

Hargeisa, June 26, 1960.

Your Excellencies,

I have the honour to ask you to confirm on behalf of the Government of Somaliland that, should they in anyway be a party to any agreement for, or any instrument having the effect of, transferring, or confirming the transfer of, jurisdiction over the territory of the Government of Somaliland, to any other Government, such agreement or instrument shall provide that the obligations of the Government of Somaliland in respect of the following instruments are transferred to, and accepted by, that other Government, namely:-

(a) The Interim Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Somaliland for a United Kingdom Aid Mission;

(b) The Public Officers Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Somaliland;

(c) The Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Somaliland regarding interim arrangements in respect of the Somaliland Scouts;

(d) The lease entered into on the 12th of April, 1960, between the Government of the Somaliland Protectorate and the Minister of Works of the United Kingdom.

I have the honour to propose that this letter and Your Excellencies’ reply giving the confirmation aforesaid should constitute an Agreement between the two Governments.

Please accept, &c.

E. BROMLEY.

No. 2

The Council of Ministers of Somaliland to Mr. T. E. Bromley

The Council of Ministers of Somaliland,

Hargeisa, June 26, 1960.

Your Excellency,

We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day’sdate, which reads as follows :

[As in No. 1]

On behalf of the Government of Somaliland, we have pleasure in giving the confirmation for which your letter asks and agree that Your Excellency’s

letter and this reply shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments.

Please accept, &c.

M. I. EGAL.

A. DUALEH.

A. G. JAMA.

IBR NOOR.

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Exchange of Letters concerning the continued availability of currency of the East African Currency Board in Somaliland for a transitional period

No. 1

The Council of Ministers of Somaliland to Mr. T. E. Bromley

The Council of Ministers of Somaliland,

Hargeisa, June 26, 1960.

Your Excellency,

We have the honour to request that, following the attainment of independence by Somaliland, the currency of the East. African Currency Board (hereinafter described as “the Board “) should continue to be made available for circulation in Somaliland for a transitional period until provision can be made for its replacement. We propose that if Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland agree to this request, arrangements should be made on the following basis:-

(a) The duration of the transitional period shall be a matter for consideration by the Government of Somaliland and Her Majesty’s Government, shall be only so long as is practicable and necessary, and shall not in any event exceed 12 months beginning from to-day’s date.

(b) During the transitional period :

(i) the Board shall use their best endeavours to ensure that an adequate supply of currency notes and coins of the Board continues to be available to meet the demand in Somaliland;

(ii) The Government of Somaliland shall not do any act or enact anylegislation which might prejudice the interests of the Board and shall afford the Board such assistance as may be necessary.

If the above proposals are acceptable to Her Majesty’s Government, we have the honour to suggest that the present letter and your reply to that effect should constitute an agreement between the two Governments in this matter.

Please accept, &c.

M. I. EGAL.

A. DUALEH.

A. G. JAMA.

IBR NOOR.

No. 2

Mr. T. E. Bromley to the Members of the Council of Ministers of Somaliland

British Consulate-General,

Hargeisa, June 26, 1960.

Your Excellencies,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day’s

date, which reads as follows:

[As in No. 1]

I have pleasure to confirm that the above proposals are acceptable to Her

Majesty’s Government who agree that your letter and this reply shall constitute

an agreement between the two Governments in this matter.

Please accept, &c.

E. BROMLEY.

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This was the 20th posting of a reproduction of a series of historical  notes, articles, tracts and academic discourses to mark proud landmarks in the history of Somaliland from 1884 which highlight events leading to the country’s two independences of 1960 & 1991.

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Source: Somalilandlaw/++