Somalia became an independent nation on July 1, 1960 when the South and the North were liberated from Italy and Great Britain, respectively. The independence was the result of decades long fight by the Somali Youth League (SYL).
The SYL was stablished on May 15, 1943 as a cultural club under the name, Somali Youth Club. The mission of the SYL was to liberate all Somalis from the colonial powers, both European (France, Italy and Great Britain) and African (Ethiopia). The SYL was stablished by 13 young men, mostly illiterate but with great vision:
- Yaasiin Xaaji Cismaan
- Xaaji Maxamad Xuseen
- Cabdulqaadir Shiikh Sakhaawoddiin
- Khaliif Huudow Macallin
- Maxamad Cismaan Baarbe
- Cismaan Geedi Raage
- Maxamad Faarax Hilowle
- Dheere Xaaji Dheere
- Sayidiin Xirsi Nuur
- Maxamad Cabdalla Xayeesi
- Maxamad Cali Nuur
- Cali Xasan Maxamad “Verdura”
- Daahir Xaaji Cismaan
