British Somaliland Somaliland Campaign

although nominally part of ottoman empire, yemen , sahil (including zeila) came progressively under control of muhammad ali, ruler of egypt, between 1821 , 1841. after egyptians withdrew yemeni seaboard in 1841, haj ali shermerki, successful , ambitious somali merchant, purchased them executive rights on zeila. shermerki s governorship had instant effect on city, manoeuvred monopolize of regional trade possible, sights set far harar , ogaden. shermerki later succeeded governor of zeila abu bakr pasha, local afar statesman.

in 1874–75, egyptians obtained firman ottomans secured claims on city. @ same time, egyptians received british recognition of nominal jurisdiction far east cape guardafui. in actuality, however, egypt had little authority on interior , period of rule on coast brief, lasting few years (1870–84).

the british somaliland protectorate subsequently established in late 1880s, after ruling somali authorities signed series of protection treaties granting british access territories on northwestern coast. among somali signatories gadabuursi (1884), habar awal (1884 , 1886), , warsangali.

when egyptian garrison in harar evacuated in 1885, zeila became caught in competition between tadjoura-based french , british control of strategic gulf of aden littoral. end of 1885, 2 powers on brink of armed confrontation, opted instead turn negotiations. later signed convention on 1 february 1888 defining border between french somaliland , british somaliland.