SYL leaders chose reconciliation over purging pro-Italian officials before independence

Evidence

The wise men of the party, led by Osman, prevailed and impressed on their colleagues that this was not the time for revenge but an opportunity to prepare the country for independence. The leaders underscored that the country could not afford to waste time and energy on destructive retribution since other means existed to dismiss incompetent employees, who were predominately pro-Italian. SYL leadership was emphatic that the party must embark on a new chapter true to its fundamental principles. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 336