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OSSERVATORIO INTERNAZIONALE

nascente stato somalo, si analizzano le difficoltà nel costruire un apparato di sicurezza in
cui far confluire tutte le etnie, scevre dalle rivalità che ordinariamente ne informavano la
contrapposizione tribale, come strumento attraverso il quale far riconoscere tutti gli stake-
holder in un’unica comunità nazionale.

This research investigates some of the cornerstones of the Trust Territory of Somaliland
under Italian Administration. Crossing multiple sources from past and current historiography with
some unpublished materials from the archives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Historical Office of the Army and the Historical Bureau of the Arma dei Carabinieri, it descri-
bes the scopes and the extent of the Italian engagement, for its first time, in a new kind of missions,
in which it has become a well recognized international player in the following years. In fact, among
the Axis Powers, Italy was the only one entitled to such a task, which was strongly pursued from
the new republican regime to show its reliability, regaining the confidence of the other Western par-
tners. It is divided into two different articles: this one (the 2 will be published on the next n.
nd
4/2021) is centred on the definition and legal status of the Trusteeship, analysing how it was gran-
ted to some states for historical, geographical and cultural reasons to assist and coach other territo-
ries on their path to independence. Then, the focus moves to the difficulties faced in the build-up of
a security system, bringing in the same team people coming from different tribes and divided by long-
lasting rivalries and feuds, as an instrument of State-building.

!
SUMMARY: 1. Introduction. - 2. The historical-political framework of the Italian return to
Somalia. - 3. State Building in Somalia: difficulties and needs. - 4. The role of
the Armed Forces in the A.F.I.S. State Building process. - 5. Create an army,
create a people, create a State.

1. Introduction
In redefining the structure of international relations at the end of World
War II, one of the main issues faced by the States participating in the San
Francisco Conference of 1945 concerned the political, legal and administrative
future of those numerous territories and peoples subjected, up to that moment
and often for many decades, to variegated forms of control, domination or
administration exercised, mainly, by European States and the United States.
In particular, colonialism as known and practiced for some time by
European States was no longer considered a viable option for multiple political,
economic and moral reasons and the fundamental objective of pacifying inter-
national relations and avoiding, or at least reducing, the risk of new armed con-
flicts therefore also imposed the redefinition of the legal and political status of
Peoples and territories which, for various reasons, were not (at least yet) in a
position to express a sovereign or, for some reason, autonomous government.

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