The State of Somaliland became the first East African Country to obtain independence
On 26 June 1960, the former British Somaliland protectorate obtained independence as the State of Somaliland,
During its brief existence, the State of Somaliland received international recognition from 35 countries,that included China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya and the Soviet Union.
The United States Secretary of State Christian Herter sent a congratulatory message.
The United Kingdom signed several bilateral agreements with Somaliland in Hargeisa on June 26, 1960.
The Dates of Independence For East African Nations
Somaliland - June 26, 1960
Madagascar - June 26, 1960
Somalia - July 1, 1960 * ( inherited the United Nations seat originally granted to Somaliland )
Tanzania - Dec. 9, 1961
Rwanda - July 1, 1962
Burundi - July 1, 1962
Uganda - Oct. 9, 1962
Kenya - Dec. 12, 1963
Mauritius - March 12, 1968
Comoros - July 6, 1975
Seychelles - June 29, 1976
Djibouti - June 27, 1977
Eritrea - May 24, 1993
*Ethiopia - No colonial Administration
Exhibit A
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is United Nations legal agreement between many countries, whose overall purpose was to promote international trade. Its role in international trade was largely succeeded in 1995 by the World Trade Organization.
Exhibit B
Agreements and Exchanges of Letters
Agreements and Exchanges of Letters between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Somaliland in connexion with the Attainment of Independence by Somaliland.
Exhibit C
Proclamation of Somaliland Independence
A message from Queen Elizabet II on Somaliland independence day was delivered in Hargeisa by Mr. T. E. Bromley on June 26 1960.
Exhibit D
Department of State bulletin June 26, 1960
Christian a. Herter Secretary of State, United States of America sent a message to the Council of Ministers of Somaliland on the occasion of the independence
on June 26, 1960.
Exhibit E
Telegram from China Congratulating Somaliland Independence
(June 25 1960) - A Telegram Congratulating Somaliland Prime Minister Egal from Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chen, Yi.
Pertaining to the decision of the government of the Peoples Republic of China to recognize Somaliland .
