British Colonial Treaties with Somali Clans in the North

British Treaty with Somaliland Tribes The British Government have signed protection treaties with six Somaliland tribes: Gadabursi, Eesa, Warsangeli, Habr Gerhajis, Habr Toljaala and Habr-Awal. All the Articles in the Agreements and the Supplementary Agreements signed with the Somaliland tribes are similar except the Warsangali one. The only treaty singed 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 ...... " . The Warsangali treaty is added an extra article[LOOK ARTICLE VI OF THE WARSANGALI TREATY] that none of the other treaties has which indicates that the Warsnagali 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 as "COUNTRY" except the Warsangali territory. ARTICLES I, II and III are removed from the Warsangali Treaty. ARTICLE III in the Warsnagali Treaty is similar to ARTICLE II in HABR GERHAJIS and Habr Toljaala Treaty but it is removed the statement " All vessels under the British flag shall have free permission to trade at all ports and places within ... " The conclusion of every agreement, except the WARSANGALI TREATY, indicates that the treaty will be abided by the elders currently signing and " their heirs and successors " HERE ARE THE ARTICLES THAT ALL THE OTHER TRIBES HAVE EXCEPT THE WARSANGALI TREATY  ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ We, the undersigned Elders of the Gadabursi 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 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 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 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 - ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ 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 the Elders of the tribe ....... In token of the conclusion of this lawful and honourable bond, Ali Geridone, .........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 31st day of December, 1884, corresponding with the 13th Rabu-al-Awal, 1302 F. M. Hunter Agreement with the Eesa Somal, ZAILA, Dec. 31, 1884 -- ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ 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 to protect the crew, the passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident at Aden of the circumstances, for which act of friendship and good-will a suitable reward will be given by the British Government. ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visiting the territories of the Habr Toljaala 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, Dirir Shaikh Don, ....[INSERT THE NAMES OF THE ELDERS HERE].....;and Major Frederick Mercer Hunter, Assistant Political Resident, 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 Aden, on the 26th day of December, 1884, corresponding with the 9th of Rabu-al-Awal, 1302 F. M. Hunter (the marks of Elders named.) Agreement with Habr Toljaala, Aden, December 26,1884 ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ We, the undersigned Elders of the Habr Gerhajis 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 Gerhajis 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 Habr Gerhajis, 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 to protect the crew, the passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident at Aden of the circumstances, for which act of friendship and good-will a suitable reward will be given by the British Government. ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visiting the territories of the Habra Gerhajis 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, Ahmed Ali, ........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 Aden, on the 13th day of December, 1885, corresponding with the 28th of Rabi-al-Awal, 1302 F. M. Hunter (Signatures of Elders) Agreement with Habr Gerhajis, Aden, January 13,1885 ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ WHEREAS the garrisons of His Highness the Khedive are about to be withdrawn from Berbera and Bulhar, and the Somali Coast generally, we, the undersigned Elders of the Habr-Awal 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-Awal 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 the ports of Berbera, Bulhar, and other places in the territories of the Habr-Awal tribe ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visiting the territories of the Habr-Awal 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, Abdellah Liban, ........and Major Frederick Mercer Hunter, the officiating Political Resident of 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 Berbera, on the 21st day Ramdhan, 1301, corresponding with the 14th July, 1884 F. M. Hunter, Major, Officiating Political Resident, Aden. Agreement with Habr-Awal, Berbera, July 14, 1884 ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ The conclusion of every agreement, except the WARSANGALI TREATY, indicates that the treaty will be abided by the elders currently signing and " their heirs and successors "  ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ TREATIES, &c., between the Warsangalis (British Protection; Slave Trade; Wrecks: &c.). - January 27, 1886 THE British Government and the Elders of the Warsangali 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., Political Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, and the said Elders 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 the Queen-Empress. II. The said Elders of the Warsangali agree and promise to refrain from entering into any correspondence, Agreement, or Treaty with any foreign nation or Power, except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty's Government. III. The Warsnagali are bound to render assistance to any vessel, whether British or belonging to any other nation, that may be wrecked on the shores under their jurisdiction and control , and to protect the crew, passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident at Aden of the circumstances; for which act of friendship and good-will a suitable reward will be given by the British Government. IV. The Traffic in slaves throughout the territories of the Warsangali shall cease for ever, and the Commander of any of Her Majesty's vessels, or any other British officer duly authorized, shall have the power of requiring the surrender of any slave, and of supporting the demand by force of arms by land and sea. V. The British Government shall have the power to appoint an Agent or Agents to reside in the territories of the Warsangali, and every such Agent shall be treated with respect and consideration, and be entitled to have for this protection such guard as the British Government deem sufficient. VI. The Warsangali hereby engage to assist all British officers in the execution of such duties as may be assigned to them, and further to 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. VII. This Treaty to come into operation from the 27th day of January, 1886, on which date it was signed at Bunder 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. Of the Ayal Fatih sub-tribe- Nur Abdullah. Isa Adan. Muhammad Ali Shirwa. Abdy Nur Of the Ogais Lebay sub-tribe– Muhammad Abdy Nalaya. Mahmud Sagullay. Abdullah Sagullay. Muhammad Abdullah