ISSAS, GADABURSI AND ISAAQ TREATIES WITH BRITIHSH

ISSAS, GADABURSI AND ISAAQ TREATIES WITH BRITIHSH

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