Could the Geledi have stopped Italy from colonizing Somalia?

[James Dahl]

I was reading up on Geledi history yesterday and I was struck by how, due to circumstance and past rivalries with the Biyomaal, they did not come to the aid of the Biyomaal and Barawani resistance to Italian colonization of the Benadir coast area when Italy invaded Baraawe in 1889. This granted Italy a foothold it used to expand rapidly in Somalia, and 19 years later Italy invaded and annexed the Geledi.

Another interesting point is that the reformist Islamic movements that happened throughout Somalia in the 19th century have striking parallels with today. I would go so far as to say that the colonial period simply put a lid on these movements, who have today reemerged.

I wonder if, had Sultan Cismaan Axmed of the Geledi raised a massive army like his grandfather to defeat Italy and drive them from the Benadir coast, how history would have been different.

[zingii]

I dont know, you tell me.

[Somaliman50]

James, one can argue that the Geledi sultan's were pretty soft when it came to colonisation. But, let's not forget that there were many Geledi's who fought alongside the Wacdaan and Biyamaal in defiance of their own sultan and the imperialists in general.

[James Dahl]

James, one can argue that the Geledi sultan's were pretty soft when it came to colonisation. But, let's not forget that there were many Geledi's who fought alongside the Wacdaan and Biyamaal in defiance of their own sultan and the imperialists in general.

I don't know if it was wise or foolish really, whether it would have made any difference.