Somalia became independent despite not being economically viable

Evidence

Although the United Nations ‘experiment’ in Somalia, as it has often been called, had certainly succeeded in providing the new state with an effective administrative and political framework, neither the southern nor the northern regions were yet economically viable. In recognition of their outstanding economic requirements both former colonial powers had agreed to continue to supply aid and assistance. Britain had promised £1-1/2 million for the first year after independence, and thereafter an annually negotiable amount. This financial aid was accompanied by a six months’ programme of technical assistance such that Britain would for six months continue to pay the salaries of those former colonial officials who elected, at the request of the Somali government, to stay on after independence. Italy promised a more substantial annual grant of about £3 million, paid partly in the form of salaries to a team of Italian ‘experts’ serving with the Somali government. The commercial link between the two countries, which brought the southern regions into the European Common Market, was to be continued through the banana monopoly and the heavy dependence of Somalia upon Italy for imported goods. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 423 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Of course, clan ties remain profoundly divisive, and combined with a bellicose uncentralized political culture, create formidable obstacles to the formation of stable, hierarchically organized political units. This, I am afraid, is the price of the democratic individualism and freedom that Somalis cherish. As the turbulent politics of the 1990s and 2000s so painfully illustrates, these aspects of Somali political culture pose bitterly intractable problems for those seeking to fashion a viable future state (or states). Somali cultural nationalism, contrary to the earlier idealistic hopes of many Somalis as well as my own, does not alone suffice. If Somali history has any lessons to teach, this is one of them. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 8 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Italian-ruled Somalia ran persistent budget deficits after thirty years — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 283; Independent Somalia would need foreign aid for up to twenty years — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 385; Post-independence Somalia remained economically dependent on British and Italian aid — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 423 (+5 more)

Related

• Post-independence Somalia remained economically dependent on British and Italian aid (similarity 0.92)
• Somalia stayed non-aligned and aid-rich despite the N.F.D. loss (similarity 0.91)
• Independent Somalia would need foreign aid for up to twenty years (similarity 0.88)
• Former colonial powers funded 31 percent of Somalia’s initial budget. (similarity 0.87)
• Great-power expediency delivered Somalia back to Italy for ten years (similarity 0.86)
• Italian-ruled Somalia ran persistent budget deficits after thirty years (similarity 0.85)
• Somali cultural nationalism alone cannot sustain a viable state (similarity 0.85)
• Fascist monopolies excluded Somalis from competing economically with Italians (similarity 0.81)
• Somalia’s insolvency and divided nation made it vulnerable to Cold War rivalry (similarity 0.80)
• The N.F.D. fixation left Somalia isolated in Pan-African politics (similarity 0.80)
• Military regime showed uncharacteristic moderation on Somali nationalism for years (similarity 0.79)
• French Somaliland evolved economically while remaining politically static (similarity 0.79)
• Somali citizens valued national prestige over economic cost (similarity 0.79)
• Somalia maintained nonalignment during its first seven years (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Post-independence Somalia remained economically dependent on British and Italian aid #corroborates (0.80) — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 423
• Somali cultural nationalism alone cannot sustain a viable state #complicates (0.70) — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 8
• Somalia stayed non-aligned and aid-rich despite the N.F.D. loss #contradicts (0.55)