Somalia’s fate was traded among rival power blocs.

Evidence

The West was interested in retaining Italy as a member of their bloc; the Soviets hoped that Italian communists might win the forthcoming election, which would put Italy in the Soviet camp; and the Arabs were silenced by the resolution that assured Libyan independence. Somalia fell victim to this expedient coalition, and Italian return to the country for ten years was assured. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 1230