Before the mid-19th century, Somalia was a land open to the sea and trade, yet closed to all who coveted it.
Its coastal cities, such as Mogadishu, Merca, Berbera, and Bosaso, thrived on commerce, while its inland villages were sustained by the land and pastoralism.
The social units were clearly defined: the tribe, the clan, the sultan, and the sheikh.
There was no government in the modern sense, but a powerful system existed that required neither paperwork nor courts: custom, honor, and religion.
In 1839, Britain occupied Aden in Yemen.
From that moment on, the Somali coast was no longer far from its reach.
Britain was not only seeking land, but also ports, coal for its ships, and trade routes to India.
Within a few years, its ships appeared in northern Somalia, and it began to forge alliances with the tribal sheikhs along the coast.
The Somali interior slowly heard of this, but the sea saw everything. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The Birth of Abbas Oudeni – 1857
In one of the villages of Benadir, a child was born into a family known for its scholarship, trade, and travels.
His name: Abbas Oudeni
– From the Absi clan
– From the Yamen Deir clan
– From the Eir clan
– From the Habr Jadir clan
– A descendant of Hawiya
His name was not unusual,
but the events that would unfold around him were anything but ordinary.
Abbas grew up in a simple house,
with a thatched roof and mud walls,
but his mind was open to the world.
His father was a small-scale merchant who sometimes went to the coast,
and returned with coffee, incense, dates, and news.
And that news was more important than the goods.
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1862 – The first time Abbas heard the word "agreement."
He was only five years old.
He sat with the men in the village council,
overhearing them discuss:
"The British are meeting with sheikhs on the North Coast."
"They want to sign treaties."
"They say it's for protection, but no one knows their intentions."
He didn't understand everything,
but one thing stuck in his mind:
A stranger never comes without something to hide.
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1869 – The Suez Canal opens… and the world changes.
The opening of the Suez Canal was a global event.
From that day forward, the Arabian and Somali coasts became areas of greater value. British and French ships began to appear more frequently in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
That year, Abbas turned 12.
He learned the Quran at the mosque,
He helped his father with the caravans,
And he saw merchants from India, Yemen, and East Africa.
And he learned something important:
He who understands the sea… understands politics.
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1875 – Egypt Reaches the Coast
Egypt, under Khedive Ismail, was trying to prevent European expansion.
It controlled parts of the southern coast, including Benadir.
It was an Arab presence,
Linguistically and religiously close,
But it didn't last long, because Europe was stronger.
Abbas was 18 years old,
And he watched silently.
He saw how the powers shifted,
And how the coming and going changed.
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1878 – The Beginning of a Real Sense of Danger
This year, British ships began appearing in the ports more frequently than usual.
They weren't just merchant ships,
but carried soldiers and officers who spoke with tribal leaders,
offering protection,
treaties,
and concessions.
Some said, "It's alright, we need protection for the merchant ships."
Others said, "Whoever takes protection today takes the country tomorrow."
But Abbas saw beyond both of them.
He said to himself,
"Countries don't protect anyone. Countries only protect their own interests." ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
1880 – The Night He Changed His Mind
One winter night, a caravan arrived in the village from the coast,
bearing important news:
"The British have signed agreements with tribes in the north, and talks are underway in the south."
No one shouted.
No one took up arms.
But everyone sensed something:
The country was no longer alone in the world.
Abbas sat apart from the council,
and gazed at the sky.
So many stars.
A quiet night.
But his heart was not at peace.
He understood the truth:
If he didn't know what was happening, a time would come when he couldn't stand.
That night, he made a decision he told no one:
I will travel. To the sea. To the cities. To the ports. I will see with my own eyes.
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1882 – The Journey Begins
He is now 25 years old.
A man of sound mind and body.
His head is straight, and his voice is soft but clear.
He carries a sword he inherited from his grandfather,
a small Quran in a leather bag,
and a few dates and dry bread.
He was not a rebel,
nor a leader,
nor a commander of soldiers,
just a man… but he understood the times.
He set out with a caravan of merchants heading to the city of Merca,
one of the most important ports of the south,
a city where the scents mingle:
incense, coffee, and sea sweat.
Little did he know that this journey
would be the beginning of a path
that would one day make people call him:
The Madman of Conquests.
He was not mad.
But the world will see it that way,
Because he wanted something many don't understand:
A land without foreigners.
Dignity without protection.
A deal without subjugation.