Overview of Somalia’s History

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has a rich history shaped by ancient trade, Islamic sultanates, colonial division, unification, and prolonged conflict. Its people, predominantly ethnic Somalis who are Cushitic-speaking and Muslim, have long been involved in maritime commerce and pastoral nomadism. The region was indeed a former colony: the northern part was British Somaliland (a British protectorate from 1887), while the southern and central areas formed Italian Somaliland (established in 1889). French Somaliland (now Djibouti) was separate. These territories gained independence in 1960 and united to form the Somali Republic. However, colonial borders left ethnic Somalis divided across neighboring countries, fueling irredentist conflicts. Post-independence, Somalia experienced a military dictatorship, civil war, famine, piracy, and Islamist insurgency, with ongoing efforts toward stability through federal governance.

Timeline of Key Events

Prehistoric and Ancient Era

• c. 126,000–9,700 BC: Paleolithic habitation in areas like Buur Heybe, with Doian and Hargeisan cultures. 12
• c. 4th millennium BC: Earliest evidence of burial customs in Somali cemeteries. 12
• c. 10,000 BC: Rock art at Laas Geel depicts wild animals and decorated cattle. 12
• c. 3rd–2nd millennium BC: Domestication of camels in Somalia, spreading to Egypt and North Africa. 12 11
• c. 2350 BC: Land of Punt engages in trade with Ancient Egyptians, exporting myrrh, spices, gold, ebony, and ivory. 12 11
• 1st century AD: Somali city-states (e.g., Mosylon, Opone, Malao) trade with Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, and others using beden ships. 12

Medieval and Islamic Era

• 7th century: Islam introduced to the northern coast; Zeila’s Masjid al-Qiblatayn becomes Africa’s oldest mosque. 12 11
• 9th–13th century: Adal Kingdom established with Zeila as capital; northern polities capture Aden in Yemen. 12
• 10th–16th century: Sultanate of Mogadishu thrives, key in gold trade from Sofala. 12
• 13th–17th century: Ajuran Sultanate dominates the Horn of Africa before fragmenting. 10 12
• 1285–1415: Rise and fall of the Sultanate of Ifat. 12
• 1415–1577: Adal Sultanate emerges; conflicts with Ethiopian Solomonids. 12
• 1527–1543: Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (Ahmed Gurey) invades Abyssinia; defeated by Portuguese-Ethiopian forces. 12 11

Early Modern Era

• 16th century: Somali-Portuguese wars; Portuguese sack Barawa but are repelled with Ottoman aid. 12
• 17th–19th century: Sultanate of the Geledi thrives; defeats Omani forces; Berbera becomes a major trade port. 12 11
• Mid-18th–1929: Majeerteen Sultanate controls northeast. 12
• 1878–1927: Sultanate of Hobyo in central Somalia. 12

Colonial Era

• 1875: Egypt occupies coastal towns. 10
• 1887: Britain establishes protectorate over Somaliland (north). 10 11
• 1888: Anglo-French agreement defines boundaries; France develops Djibouti. 10 11
• 1889: Italy sets up protectorate in central and southern Somalia. 10 11
• 1895–1920: Dervish Movement led by Mohammed Abdullah Hassan resists colonial rule; defeated by British aerial bombardment. 12 11
• 1923–1927: Italian conquest of northeastern sultanates. 12
• 1936: Italian Somaliland incorporated into Italian East Africa. 10 11
• 1940–1941: Italian occupation of British Somaliland; British recapture during WWII. 10 11
• 1950: Italian Somaliland becomes UN trust territory. 10 11

Independence and Post-Colonial Era

• 1960 (June 26–July 1): British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland gain independence and unite as the Somali Republic; Aden Abdullah Osman Daar elected president. 10 11 12
• 1963–1964: Border disputes with Kenya and Ethiopia erupt into hostilities. 10 11
• 1969: Coup by Muhammad Siad Barre; declares socialist state. 10 11 12
• 1977–1978: Ogaden War with Ethiopia; Somali forces defeated with Soviet/Cuban aid. 10 11 12
• 1988: Peace accord with Ethiopia; Isaaq genocide under Barre regime. 10 12

Civil War and Modern Era

• 1991: Siad Barre ousted; civil war begins; Somaliland declares independence. 10 11 12
• 1992–1995: UN peacekeeping mission (including US forces) attempts to restore order amid famine; withdraws after failures like the Battle of Mogadishu. 10 11
• 1998: Puntland declares autonomy. 10 11
• 2000: Transitional National Government formed in Djibouti. 10 11 12
• 2004: Transitional Federal Government (TFG) established; Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed elected president. 10 11 12
• 2006: Union of Islamic Courts takes Mogadishu; Ethiopian intervention defeats them; Al-Shabab emerges. 10 11 12
• 2007: African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deployed. 10 11
• 2009: Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed elected president; Al-Shabab declares alliance with al-Qaeda. 10 11 12
• 2010–2012: Famine kills nearly 260,000; Al-Shabab loses key towns to AU and government forces. 10
• 2012: Federal Government established; Hassan Sheikh Mohamud elected president; end of transitional period. 10 11 12
• 2013: US recognizes Somali government; Al-Shabab attacks in Kenya (e.g., Westgate mall). 10
• 2017: Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo) elected president; major truck bombing in Mogadishu kills over 350. 10 11 12
• 2022: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reelected; AMISOM transitions to ATMIS peacekeeping mission. 11