The British Government have signed protection treaties with six Somaliland tribes: Gadabursi,Eesa,Warsangeli, Habr Gerhajis, Habr Toljaala andHabr-Awal. All the Articles in the Agreements and the supplementary Agreements signed with the Somalilandtribes are similar except the Warsangali one.The only treaty signed by Garad[or traditional leader]representing the all tribe is the Warsangali one. All the other treaties are singed by elders that may represent their areas or their different sub-clans.
The Warsangali treaty doesn’t contain the preamble that precedes every treaty which puts the independence and maintenance of order in the British Government hands. The statement goes as “the maintenance of our independence, the preservation of order …… ” . TheWarsangali treaty is added an extra article[LOOKARTICLE VI OF THE WARSANGALI TREATY] that none of the other treaties has which indicates that theWarsnagali will assist the British officers and follow their advice for ” .. duties as my be assigned to them, and further act upon their advice in matters relating to the administration of justice, the development of the resources of the country, the interests of commerce, or in any other matter in relation to peace, order, and good government, and the general progress of civilization. ”
–No tribal area is referred to as “COUNTRY” except theWarsangali territory.
ARTICLES I, II and III are removed from the WarsangaliTreaty. ARTICLE III in the Warsnagali Treaty issimilar to ARTICLE II in HABR GERHAJIS and HabrToljaala Treaty but it is removed the statement ” Allvessels under the British flag shall have freepermission to trade at all ports and places within …”The conclusion of every agreement, except theWARSANGALI TREATY, indicates that the treaty will beabided by the elders currently signing and ” theirheirs and successors ”
HERE ARE THE ARTICLES THAT ALL THE OTHER TRIBES HAVEEXCEPT THE WARSANGALI TREATY
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We, the undersigned Elders of the Gadabursi tribe, desirous of entering into an agreement with the British Government for the maintenance of our independence, the preservation of order, and other good and sufficient reasons.Now it is hereby agreed and covenanted as follows:-
ART. I. The Gababursi tribe do hereby declare that they are pledged and bound never to cede, sell, mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation, save to the British Government, any portion of the territory presently inhabited by them, or being under the control.
ART. II. All vessels under the British flag shall have free permission to trade at all ports and places within the territories of the Gadabursi tribe
ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visiting the territories of the Gadabursi tribe shall enjoy perfect safety and protection, and shall be entitled to travel all over the said limits under the safe-conduct of the Elders of the tribe………….
In token of the conclusion of this lawful and honourable bond, Jama Roblay, ……..and Major Frederick Mercer Hunter,Assistant Political Resident at Aden, the former for themselves, their heirs and successors, and the latter on behalf of the British Government, do each and all,in the presence of witnesses, affix their signatures,marks, and seals, at Zaila, on the 11th day of December, 1884, corresponding with the 25th Safar.
F. M. Hunter(the marks of Elders named.)
Agreement with the Gadabursi, ZAILA, Dec. 11, 1884 –
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We, the undersigned Elders of the Eesa tribe, are desirous of entering into an agreement with the British Government for the maintenance of our independence, the preservation of order, and other good and sufficient reasons.
Now it is hereby agreed and covenanted as follows:-
ART. I. The Eesa tribe do hereby declare that they are pledged and bound never to cede, sell, mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation, save to the British government, any portion of the territory presently inhabited by them, or being under their control.
ART. II. All vessels under the British flag shall have free permission to trade at all ports and places within the territories of the Eesa tribe
ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visiting the territories of the Eesa tribe shall enjoy perfect safety and protection, and shall be entitled to travel all over the said limits under the safe-conduct of theElders of the tribe…….In token of the conclusion of this lawful andhonourable bond, Ali Geridone, ………and Major Frederick MercerHunter, Assistant Political Resident at Aden, theformer for themselves, their heirs and successors, andthe latter on behalf of the British Government, doeach and all, in the presence of witnesses, affixtheir signatures, marks, and seals, at Zaila, on the31st day of December, 1884, corresponding with the13th Rabu-al-Awal, 1302
F. M. Hunter
Agreement with the Eesa Somal, ZAILA, Dec. 31, 1884 —
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We, the undersigned Elders of the Habr Toljaala tribe,are desirous of entering into an agreement with the British Government for the maintenance of our independence, the preservation of order, and other good and sufficient reasons.
Now it is hereby agreed and covenanted as follows:-
ART. I. The Habr Toljaala tribe declare that they are pledged and bound never to cede, sell, mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation, save to the British government, any portion of the territory presently inhabited by them, or being under their control.
ART. II. All vessels under the British flag shall have free permission to trade at all ports and places within the territories of the Habr Toljaala, and the tribe is bound to render assistance to any vessel, whether British or belonging to any other nation, that may be wrecked on the above-mentioned shores, and toprotect the crew, the passengers, and cargo of suchvessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident atAden of the circumstances, for which act of friendshipand good-will a suitable reward will be given by theBritish Government.
ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visitingthe territories of the Habr Toljaala shall enjoyperfect safety and protection, and shall be entitledto travel all over the said limits under thesafe-conduct of the Elders of the tribe
In token of the conclusion of this lawful andhonourable bond, Dirir Shaikh Don, ….[INSERT THENAMES OF THE ELDERS HERE]…..;and Major FrederickMercer Hunter, Assistant Political Resident, theformer for themselves, their heirs and successors, andthe latter on behalf of the British Government, doeach and all, in the presence of witnesses, affixtheir signatures, marks, and seals, at Aden, on the26th day of December, 1884, corresponding with the 9thof Rabu-al-Awal, 1302
F. M. Hunter(the marks of Elders named.)
Agreement with Habr Toljaala, Aden, December 26,1884
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We, the undersigned Elders of the Habr Gerhajis tribe,are desirous of entering into an Agreement with theBritish Government for the maintenance of ourindependence, the preservation of order, and othergood and sufficient reasons.
Now it is hereby agreed and covenanted as follows:-
ART. I. The Habr Gerhajis tribe do hereby declare thatthey are pledged and bound never to cede, sell,mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation, save tothe British Government, any portion of the territorypresently inhabited by them, or being under theircontrol.
ART. II. All vessels under the British flag shall havefree permission to trade at all ports and placeswithin the territories of the Habr Gerhajis, and thetribe is bound to render assistance to any vessel,whether British or belonging to any other nation, thatmay be wrecked on the above-mentioned shores, and toprotect the crew, the passengers, and cargo of suchvessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident atAden of the circumstances, for which act of friendshipand good-will a suitable reward will be given by theBritish Government.
ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visitingthe territories of the Habra Gerhajis tribe shallenjoy perfect safety and protection, and shall beentitled to travel all over the said limits under thesafe-conduct of the Elders of the tribe
In token of the conclusion of this lawful andhonourable bond, Ahmed Ali, ……..and Major Frederick MercerHunter, Assistant Political Resident at Aden, theformer for themselves, their heirs and successors, andthe latter on behalf of the British Government, doeach and all, in the presence of witnesses, affixtheir signatures, marks, and seals, at Aden, on the13th day of December, 1885, corresponding with the28th of Rabi-al-Awal, 1302
F. M. Hunter(Signatures of Elders)
Agreement with Habr Gerhajis, Aden, January 13,1885
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WHEREAS the garrisons of His Highness the Khedive areabout to be withdrawn from Berbera and Bulhar, and theSomali Coast generally, we, the undersigned Elders ofthe Habr-Awal tribe, are desirous of entering into anAgreement with the British Government for themaintenance of our independence, the preservation oforder, and other good and sufficient reasons.
Now it is hereby agreed and covenanted as follows:-
ART. I. The Habr-Awal tribe do hereby declare thatthey are pledged and bound never to cede, sell,mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation, save tothe British Government, any portion of the territorypresently inhabited by them, or being under theircontrol.
ART. II. All vessels under the British flag shall havefree permission to trade at the ports of Berbera,Bulhar, and other places in the territories of theHabr-Awal tribe
ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visitingthe territories of the Habr-Awal shall enjoy perfectsafety and protection, and shall be entitled to travelall over the said limits under the safe-conduct of theElders of the tribe……
In token of the conclusion of this lawful andhonourable bond, Abdellah Liban, ……..and Major Frederick MercerHunter, the officiating Political Resident of Aden,the former for themselves, their heirs and successors,and the latter on behalf of the British Government, doeach and all, in the presence of witnesses, affixtheir signatures, marks, and seals, at Berbera, on the21st day Ramdhan, 1301, corresponding with the 14thJuly, 1884
F. M. Hunter, Major,Officiating Political Resident, Aden.
Agreement with Habr-Awal, Berbera, July 14, 1884
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The conclusion of every agreement, except theWARSANGALI TREATY, indicates that the treaty will beabided by the elders currently signing and ” theirheirs and successors ”
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TREATIES, &c., between the Warsangalis (BritishProtection; Slave Trade; Wrecks: &c.). – January 27,1886
THE British Government and the Elders of theWarsangali tribe who have signed this Agreement being desirous of maintaining and strengthening the relations of peace and friendship existing between them;
The British Government have named and appointed major Frederick Mercer Hunter, C.S.I., Political Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, to conclude a Treaty for this purpose.
The said Major F. M. Hunter, C.S.I., PoliticalAgent and Consul for the Somali Coast, and the saidElders of the Warsangali, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles:-
ART. I. The British government, in compliance with the wish of the undersigned Elders of the Warsangali, undertakes to extend to them and to the territories under their authorities and jurisdiction the gracious favour and protection of Her Majesty theQueen-Empress.
II. The said Elders of the Warsangali agree and promise to refrain from entering into anycorrespondence, Agreement, or Treaty with any foreignnation or Power, except with the knowledge andsanction of Her Majesty’s Government.
III. The Warsnagali are bound to render assistance toany vessel, whether British or belonging to any othernation, that may be wrecked on the shores under theirjurisdiction and control , and to protect the crew,passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedyintimation to the Resident at Aden of thecircumstances; for which act of friendship andgood-will a suitable reward will be given by theBritish Government.
IV. The Traffic in slaves throughout the territoriesof the Warsangali shall cease for ever, and theCommander of any of Her Majesty’s vessels, or anyother British officer duly authorized, shall have thepower of requiring the surrender of any slave, and ofsupporting the demand by force of arms by land andsea.
V. The British Government shall have the power toappoint an Agent or Agents to reside in theterritories of the Warsangali, and every such Agentshall be treated with respect and consideration, andbe entitled to have for this protection such guard asthe British Government deem sufficient.
VI. The Warsangali hereby engage to assist all Britishofficers in the execution of such duties as may beassigned to them, and further to act upon their advicein matters relating to the administration of justice,the development of the resources of the country, theinterests of commerce, or in any other matter inrelation to peace , order, and good government, andthe general progress of civilization.
VII. This Treaty to come into operation from the 27thday of January, 1886, on which date it was signed atBunder Gori by the Undermentioned.
F. M. Hunter
Witness:J. H. Raintier, Commander, R. N.
Muhammad Mahmud Ali, Gerad of all the Warsangali.
Jama Mahmud, Gerad
Muhammad Ibrahim, ditto.
Omar Ahmed, ditto.
Mahmud Abdullah, ditto.
Yussuf Mahmud, ditto.
Nur Abdullah.
Isa Adan.
Muhammad Ali Shirwa.
Abdy Nur
Reference
British Empire. “Protection treaties with Somaliland tribes.” Edinburgh: William Blackwood and sons, 1887
