Osman Ahmed
| Osman Ahmed عثمان أحمد | |
|---|---|
 Sultan Osman Ahmed (mounted) & his mamluk soldiers | |
| Sultan of the Geledi | |
| Reign | 1878–1911 |
| Predecessor | Ahmed Yusuf Mahamud |
| Successor | Monarchy abolished |
| Born | Afgooye, Geledi Sultanate |
| Died | Early 1920s Italian Somaliland |
| Dynasty | Gobroon Dynasty |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Osman Ahmed (
History
Reign
The succession of Osman Ahmed in the 1880s brought the
Despite these complications, Osman's inherited Baraka (grace) as a member of the noble Gobroon lineage which was still respected by many ordinary Somalis in the region. We have seen how Sultan Osman Ahmed was given much credit for repelling the Ethiopian invasion. In the mid-1890s, Osman's forces had still been strong enough to defeat the rebellious Hintire clan down the river. And Cecchi apparently sensed that Sultan Osman remained a force to be reckoned with, for the devastating Lafoole expedition had originated with Cecchi's plans for an Italian-Geledi partnership. The Italian investigation of the Lafoole incident produced conflicting proof about the complicity of the Geledi in the affair. Acting-administrator Dulio felt that the young men of the Geledi clan were fiercely against the Italian presence, whereas their elders wanted some sort of accommodation. The authorities had received a letter from the wealthy landlord Aw Nur Ahmedow denying Geledi involvement in the attack of Cecchi's expedition, but at the same time news reached Mogadishu that a hostile Sheikh was attracting large crowds in Balguurey and Ceel Qoode (Elqode). The administer could only conclude that Sultan Osman had known of the plans for the attack at Lafoole but had stopped his followers from getting involved. In fact, the Sultan was in an unfavourable position. Within his own Gobroon lineage, counselors were pressuring him to stand against the Italians and so restore his status among neighbouring clans who were not happy with the foreign presence thus it may not be surprising if he did participate in the Battle of Lafoole in 1896 where the Italians faced their biggest and most humiliating defeat.[3]
Peace treaty with Bimaal
Sultan Osman did not want to repeat the same mistake as his father and grandfather and decided to make peace with the Bimaal clan. He lifted sanctions against Merca and allowed them to serve the hinterland which boosted wealth between the Sultanate and the city-state. Sultan Osman was praised for creating peace in South Somalia.[4]
Battle of Hudur
Many Somalis were somewhat willing to join and/or support the Dervish Army led by
Treaties with Italians
Osman signed treaties with the Italians for the protectorate in 1902.[6] However, Uways al Barawi from Barawa was not happy with the Italian presence and would organize a movement known as the Muslim Brotherhood leading the Banadir revolt in 1906, but it was crushed by Italian forces in 1908.[7][8] By 1911, the small remnant kingdom of the once-powerful Geledi state formally ended and was incorporated under direct Italian administration. Sultan Osman remained a notable figure and the leading traditional figure in Afgooye and would die in the early 1920s.[9]
See also
Notes
- ^ Cassanelli, p.149.
- ISBN 9780812278323.
- ISBN 9780812278323.
- ^ Gundel, Joakim (2006). The predicament of the 'Oday': The role of traditional structures in security, rights, law and development in Somalia. Danish Refugee Council & Novib/Oxfam. p. 28.
- ^ Divine madness: Moḥammed ʻAbdulle Ḥassan (1856-1920) page 83
- ^ Somali Sultanate: the Geledi city-state over 150 years, pg 92
- ISBN 9780810866041. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ The social structure of southern Somali tribes, Virginia Luling, pg. 204
- ^ The social structure of southern Somali tribes, Virginia Luling, pg. 204
References
- Cassanelli, Lee Vincent (1973). The Benaadir past : essays in southern Somali history. University Microfilms International.
- Luling, Virginia (2002). Somali Sultanate: the Geledi city-state over 150 years. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 0-7658-0914-1.