The Golden years of Somalia: From Sultanates to Statehood: A Political and Historical Analysis of Somalia [English, Middle]

By Mohamed Ali Hamud

The Golden Years of Somalia is a detailed and insightful account of Somalia's political and historical evolution, written by former cabinet minister and historian Mohamed Ali Hamud.

Drawing on both scholarly research and first-hand political experience, Hamud traces the development of Somali society from the era of pre-colonial Sultanates through to the modern state. The book explores the rise and influence of powerful Sultanates between the 13th and 19th centuries, before examining the profound impact of European colonial expansion following the Berlin Conference.

Central to this history is the resistance led by Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, whose Dervish movement became one of the longest and most significant anti-colonial struggles in Africa. The narrative follows Somalia through the upheavals of the First and Second World Wars, the period of UN trusteeship, and eventual independence in 1960.

Particular attention is given to what the author describes as Somalia's "golden years" (1970-1977), a period of relative strength and national development, before examining the political decline, government collapse, and subsequent fragmentation that reshaped the nation.

The book also considers Somalia's role in wider regional and global events, including its position during the Kuwait crisis, and provides insight into the country's economic trajectory over time.

Combining historical analysis with personal perspective, The Golden Years of Somalia offers a compelling and often sobering account of a nation's rise, challenges, and transformation - essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English, Middle
• ISBN: 0992493900
• ISBN13: 9780992493905
• Release Date: July 2014
• Publisher: Heartspace Publications
• Length: 138 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.8" x 8.3"