Background

The Warsangali Sultanate, also known as the Garaad Dynasty, was a Somali imperial governing dynasty headquartered in northeastern and southeastern Somalia. It was one of the biggest sultanates ever founded in the province, including the Sanaag region and sections of the country's northeastern Bari region, which was traditionally known as Maakhir or the Maakhir Coast. The Sultanate of Gerad Dhidhin was established in northern Somalia in the late 13th century by a group of Somalis from the Warsangali branch of the Darod tribe and was controlled by the descendants of the Gerad Dhidhin. The Sultanate was controlled by the powerful Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire in the late nineteenth century, during some of its most violent years. The Akil Dhahar dominated the area south of Sanaag and parts of the Bari region.^[3]

The Sultanate is recognized for its remarkable longevity as a political entity and its tendency to prioritize trade over conquest or expansionism. The Sultanates major ports included Maydh, Bosaso and finally Laasgoray, its capital.^[4]

British-Warsangali Treaties

Under threat of violence from the British Empire, several northern Somali sultanates, including the Warsangali Sultanate, signed numerous treaties that led to the establishment of the British Somaliland protectorate in 1887.^[3]

Warsangali treaty with the British government:^[5][6]

TREATIES, &c., between the Warsangalis (British Protection; Slave Trade; Wrecks: &c.). – January 27, 1886

The British Government and the Elders of the Warsangali tribe who have signed this Agreement being desirous of maintaining and strengthening the relations of peace and friendship existing between them;

The British Government have named and appointed Major Frederick Mercer Hunter, C.S.I., Political Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, to conclude a Treaty for this purpose. The said Major F. M. Hunter, C.S.I., Political Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, and the said Elders of the Warsangali, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles:-

ART.

I. The British government, in compliance with the wish of the undersigned Elders of the Warsangali, undertakes to extend to them and to the territories under their authorities and jurisdiction the gracious favour and protection of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress.

II. The said Elders of the Warsangali agree and promise to refrain from entering into any correspondence, Agreement, or Treaty with any foreign nation or Power, except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty's Government.

III. The Warsnagali are bound to render assistance to any vessel, whether British or belonging to any other nation, that may be wrecked on the shores under their jurisdiction and control , and to protect the crew, passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident at Aden of the circumstances; for which act of friendship and good-will a suitable reward will be given by the British Government.

IV. The Traffic in slaves throughout the territories of the Warsangali shall cease for ever, and the Commander of any of Her Majesty's vessels, or any other British officer duly authorized, shall have the power of requiring the surrender of any slave, and of supporting the demand by force of arms by land and sea.

V. The British Government shall have the power to appoint an Agent or Agents to reside in the territories of the Warsangali, and every such Agent shall be treated with respect and consideration, and be entitled to have for this protection such guard as the British Government deem sufficient.

VI. The Warsangali hereby engage to assist all British officers in the execution of such duties as may be assigned to them, and further to act upon their advice in matters relating to the administration of justice, the development of the resources of the country, the interests of commerce, or in any other matter in relation to peace, order, and good government, and the general progress of civilization.

VII. This Treaty to come into operation from the 27th day of January, 1886, on which date it was signed at

Bunder Gori by the Undermentioned.

F. M. Hunter

Witness:

J. H. Raintier, Commander, R. N.

Muhammad Mahmud Ali, Gerad of all the Warsangali.

Jama Mahmud (reer garaad), Muhammad Ibrahim(reer garaad), Omar Ahmed(reer garaad), Mahmud Abdullah(reer garaad),Yusuf Mahmud(reer garaad). Nur Abdullah(reer fatah), Isa Adan(reer fatah), Muhammad Ali Shirwa(reer fatah), Abdy Nur(reer fatah).

Muhammad Abdi Nalaya(ogeyslabe), Mahmud Sagully(ogeyslabe), Abdullah Sagully(ogeyslabe), Muhammad Abdulah(ogeyslabe).

Northern Somali sultanates

In his paper The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia, the historian Robert L. Hess touches upon this alliance, writing that "in attempt to break out of Obbian-Mijertein encirclement, the Mullah sought closer alliances with the Warsangali of British Somaliland and Bah Geri of Ethiopia".^[7]

Sultans

Warsangeli ancestors, family Tree and subclans

Rulers of the Warsangali Sultanate:^[8][9]

Portrait of Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire from 1905.

Warsangali-Dervish collaboration

In May 1916 the Dervish attacked Las Khorey but were repelled by a British Warship. In September of that year fearing a Dervish invasion, British troops occupied Las Khorey at the insistence of Sultan Mahamud ALi Shire.^[10]

There is constantly a power struggle between the Brothers battling each other to succeed in the rulership, which contributed to a decrease in the sultanate's governability over its realm between the 13th and 17th centuries.