British Somaliland became independent on 26 June 1960 as the State of Somaliland, and the Trust Territory of Somalia (the former Italian Somaliland) followed suit five days later. On 1 July 1960, the two territories united to form the Somali Republic, albeit within boundaries drawn up by Italy and Britain. A government was formed by Abdullahi Issa Mohamud and Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal other members of the trusteeship and protectorate governments, with Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf as President of the Somali National Assembly, Aden Abdullah Osman Daar as the President of the Somali Republic and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke as Prime Minister (later to become President from 1967 to 1969). On 20 July 1961 and through a popular referendum, the people of Somalia ratified a new constitution, which was first drafted in 1960. In 1967, Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal became Prime Minister, a position to which he was appointed by Shermarke. Egal would later become the President of the autonomous Somaliland region in northwestern Somalia. COUNT 5
QSN1 On what date did British Somaliland gain independence? ANS1 26 June 1960 QSN2 What was British Somaliland known as upon achieving independence? ANS2 the State of Somaliland QSN3 What state formed the Somali Republic with British Somaliland? ANS3 the Trust Territory of Somalia QSN4 On what date did the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland unite? ANS4 1 July 1960 QSN5 Who was the first President of the Somali Republic? ANS5 Aden Abdullah Osman Daar