Protectorate crowds and leaders showed deep commitment to unification in 1959

Evidence

The delegation was impressed with a number of things they saw in the protectorate. Among these were the superior workings of the legislative council, the good organization of the police force, and the orderliness of schools in Amoud. Hargeisa’s population and political leaders orchestrated a moving farewell for the delegation, which left no doubt about the people’s deep desire for and commitment to unification. The huge crowds at the airport chanted, “Let Somalia unite” and “Somali ha noolato.” Osman noted in his diary, “We can without doubt state that those brothers seriously want to be united with us.” — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 448